During which healing phase does muscle tissue generally regain its strength and flexibility?

The remodeling phase is when muscle tissue generally regains its strength and flexibility. This phase can occur several weeks to months after an injury, during which collagen fibers are reorganized, remodeled, and aligned along the lines of mechanical stress. This adaptation process not only improves the tensile strength of the tissue but also enhances its flexibility. During the remodeling phase, the healing tissue matures, and the body continues to repair and strengthen the affected area, which is essential for a return to full function.

In contrast, the acute phase is characterized by inflammation and immediate responses to injury, where strength and flexibility are not yet restored. The regeneration phase involves the formation of new tissue, but it may not yet have the qualities of strength and flexibility that will develop later. The fibrosis phase refers to the formation of scar tissue, which can lead to stiffness and decreased flexibility rather than improvement in strength and flexibility.