Tendons and ligaments are connective tissues that help support muscles and bones.
Tendons are attached to muscles and bones to aid their movement, while ligaments help support and stabilize joints.
This article will compare the differences between tendons and ligaments, types of injuries, and treatment options.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
What Are Tendons and Ligaments?
Tendons and ligaments are forms of connective tissue that connect muscles and bones to form themusculoskeletal system.
Tendons and ligaments differ based on their points of connection.
How They Work
Tendons and ligaments function to support muscles and joints.
Tendons attach muscles to bone, transmitting force from a contracting muscle to a bone to move the body.
Without tendons, muscles would not be able to transfer the energy needed for movement properly.
Most ligaments connect bone to bone.
They hold joints together and stabilize joints with movement and while at rest.
Ligaments can connect bones on the outside of joints or from within the joints.
While both tendons and ligaments have some elasticity, they can only be stretched slightly before damage occurs.
Stretching movements target muscle fibers that can lengthen and shorten to change in length and improve flexibility.
Common Injuries
Injuries to tendons and ligaments make up about 50% of all musculoskeletal injuries.
Injuries to tendons and ligaments occur when their fibers tear or become damaged from repeated stress.
With significant trauma, a ligament can tear, causing the collagen fibers to rip off of the bone.
Tendons, like ligaments, can also tear with significant trauma.
For tendinopathies, rest from aggravating activities is needed to decrease stress on the tendon.
These include:
Summary
Tendons and ligaments are types of connective tissue made of collagen fibers.
Tendons attach muscles to bones while ligaments attach bones to bones.
Tendons and ligaments can become injured from trauma or overuse over time.
Rest is needed following injuries to promote healing, while muscle strengthening is needed to return to unrestricted activity.
For severe tendon and ligament tears, surgery may be needed to reattach the connective tissue back to bone.
Tendons are inflexible and ligaments are flexible.
Tendons are white and ligaments are yellowish.
Tearing a ligament and tendon are both injuries that can cause pain, joint instability, and physical limitations.
Both types of injuries, however, can result in increased pain with joint movement.
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