A surgical incision has fully matured after many months of scar remodeling. What is the maximum percentage of its original pre-injury tensile strength that the healed wound can ever regain?
- A 50%
- B 65%
- C 80% ✓
- D 100%
Correct answer: C. 80%
Explanation
Wound tensile strength rises rapidly in the first weeks, reaching about 20% of normal by 3 weeks, but plateaus at approximately 80% of the original strength even after full maturation over months to a year. This plateau reflects the disorganized architecture of scar collagen compared with normal dermis. The scar never regains 100% strength, which is why old scars can still dehisce under extreme stress.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.