Table 2 Time-dependent histomorphological changes within the rupture zone

Group 1 (0–7 days)

Inflammation

- increase of total cell count and CD68-positive cells

- metabolic activation of fibrocyte-like cells

Group 2 (8–14 days)

Proliferation, granulation

- increase of collagen 3 content

- increase of fibroblast-like cells

Group 3 (15–21 days)

Consolidation, early remodeling

- reorientation of collagen bundles

- normalization of crimp length