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Tendons connect
skeletal muscle to bone. Tendinous connective tissue is found at both
ends of a muscle (tendons of origin and tendons of insertion).
Injuries to
the muscle or tendon can occur in several ways. One way is by direct
trauma, such as a blow from a blunt or sharp object, causing a contusion
(bruise) or a laceration (cut).
Another way
is from strain caused by overworking these structures or by a single
violent episode, such as a sudden stretching force applied to a muscle
that is in the act of vigorous contraction when the force applied is
stronger than the structure's ability to withstand tearing. The tear may
be complete or partial and can occur at the link between muscles and
tendons, in the tendon, or where the tendon attaches to bone.
Sometimes a
small piece of bone is pulled off and left attached to the end of the
tendon. This is known as an avulsion fracture. In a sense, the muscle or
tendon is overpowered by the amount of resistance it is working against,
and the area of the least resistance is the site of injury. The degree
of injury, whether mild or severe, depends on the force of the
contraction and the amount of resistance. A few fibers be torn or the
entire structure may be disrupted.
In most cases
the strain is mild - simply an overstretching of the muscles, with no
appreciable tearing. This would result in pain and discomfort with
movement, and a subsequent muscle spasm. In more severe injuries with
actual tearing of some fibers, symptoms are increased. Pain and
discomfort are more severe and there is swelling and limitation of
movement.
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