Which sign of inflammation typically occurs last?

Loss of function is considered to be the last sign of inflammation due to its development in response to the preceding signs of inflammation, such as heat, pain, and swelling. Inflammation is the body’s immune response to injury or infection, and these early signs function to alert the body to a problem and to promote healing.

Heat occurs as blood vessels dilate and more blood flows to the injured area, causing warmth. Pain arises from the release of inflammatory chemicals and the direct effect of swelling on nearby nerves. Swelling, or edema, results from increased vascular permeability, leading to the accumulation of fluid in tissues. Loss of function, however, often results as a cumulative effect of these preceding signs. When pain and swelling limit movement or function in a particular area, it ultimately contributes to the functional impairment observed. Therefore, loss of function emerges after the other signs have already developed and is often the last symptom to manifest during the inflammatory response.