Which of the following is NOT considered a limitation of the tendon healing process?

The presence of thicker collagen fibers is not considered a limitation of the tendon healing process. During the healing process, collagen is crucial for restoring tensile strength in tendons, and the formation of thicker collagen fibers can be a beneficial adaptive response, as it may contribute to an improvement in the structural integrity of the healing tendon.

In contrast, misalignment of collagen fibers, increased percentages of collagen type III fibers, and reduced mobility due to scar tissue formation are all recognized limitations. Misalignment can lead to weaker tendon structure and function. Collagen type III is typically produced early in the healing process, and while it is later replaced by type I collagen, an excess of type III can result in inferior mechanical properties. Scar tissue can restrict normal movement, leading to further complications in recovery. Thus, recognizing the characteristics of collagen during tendon healing helps to understand which factors can complicate recovery and function.