How long does the inflammatory phase last after a ligament injury?

After a ligament injury, the inflammatory phase is the body's immediate response to the trauma. This phase typically lasts for a very short time frame, as it is characterized by the activation of the immune system and the onset of healing processes. The inflammation is essential as it helps to manage bleeding, prevents infection, and begins the healing process, but it does not persist indefinitely.

The inflammatory phase typically occurs within hours of the injury, and while it can last up to a couple of days, it rapidly transitions into the proliferative phase as the acute inflammatory response subsides. The correct understanding of this immediate response clarifies why saying it lasts for minutes to hours aligns with the biological processes occurring right after the injury, making this option appropriate. As time progresses beyond the initial hours to days, the body begins to shift into the repair phase, reflecting the ongoing healing of the tissue.