2026 Soft Tissue Trauma Exam Prep – Complete Practice Test

Remodelling of the healing tissue begins as the scar starts to mature, typically around two weeks after injury. In this phase, collagen that was laid down earlier is realigned and reorganized along lines of mechanical stress, and the tissue undergoes cross-linking to gain strength. Type III collagen gradually gives way to the stronger type I collagen, reducing scar size and vascularity as cellular activity decreases. The result is increased tensile strength over time, though the tissue rarely returns to its original strength. This process—collagen remodeling and scar maturation—characterizes the phase that starts after about two weeks, making it the maturation phase.