Table 2.

Summary of Healing Response and Appropriate Conservative Rehabilitation Treatments

The Acute Stage (Inflammatory response) 1‐6 days post‐injury	The Subacute Stage (Repair and Healing Phase) Begins as early as day 3	Chronic Stage (Maturation and Remodeling Stage) Begins about 3 weeks post‐injury
Exudate (plasma and serum pr‐) leaks out of damaged vessels into surrounding tissue They function to repair damaged site, but can cause significant swelling Swelling → stress to free nerve endings → pain	Fibroblast activity: synthesize new collagen, the collagen is formed and oriented in a haphazard fashion. Collagen is structurally thin and weak Overstressing/aggressive therapy may reinjure tissue Not stressing tissue may allow adhesions to form	Collagen is remodeled along lines of applied stress Applying appropriate volume of stress to healing tissue will help to facilitate functional orientation of collagen and increase tensile strength capability
Treatments: Modalities, gentle ROM, isometric strengthening	Treatments: initiate strengthening, continue ROM progression	Treatments: strengthening, functional strengthening, progress to plyometrics or power training as appropriate