Ligaments and tendons are soft collagenous tissues. Ligaments connect bone to bone and Tendons connect muscles to bone. They both play a significant role in your musculoskeletal biomechanics. Injuring one of them can be more than just a pain, so here is some basic info to help you understand what might be going on with either if injured.
First, know there is a difference in a sprain and a strain. As defined by the ACE Personal Trainer Manual: A sprain is a traumatic joint twist that results in stretching or tearing of the stabilizing connective tissues and mainly involves ligaments causing discoloration, swelling, and pain. A strain is a stretch, tear, or rip in the muscle or adjacent tissue such as the fascia or tendon.
"Ligament sprains often, but not always, occur with trauma, such as a fall, or during contact sports. The most common joints for sprains include the ankle, knee, thumb/finger, and shoulder. If a sprain occurs, the client may report hearing a 'popping' sound followed by immediate pain, swelling, instability, decreased range of motion, and a loss of function." (ACE Personal Trainer Manual & Anderson, Hall, & Martin, 2008) For minimal tenderness & minimal swelling it is considered a minimal impairment and indicative of only microscopic tearing of collagen fibers. If moderate tenderness, swelling, and decreased range of motion, then you can expect moderate impairment due to complete tears of some but not all collagen fibers in the ligament. You will know if you have a severe impairment if you have significant swelling, tenderness, and instability indicative of a complete tear or rupture of the ligament. In the case of a severe impairment, you might need surgical reconstruction.
"Muscle strains are injuries in which the muscle works beyond its capacity, resulting in microscopic tears of the muscle fibers. In mild strains, the client may report tightness or tension. In more severe cases, the client may report feeling a sudden 'tear' or 'pop' that leads to immediate pain and weakness in the muscle. In addition, swelling, discoloration, and loss of function often occur after the injury (Anderson, Hall, & Martin, 2008). Strains are frequent in the lower extremity and primarily occur in major muscle groups such as the hamstrings, groin, and calf." ACE Personal Trainer Manual
Try to avoid sprains and strains by proper and thoughtful movements, not overstretching beyond your bodies limitations, and by not overusing your muscles and joints. Workout Tidbits
First, know there is a difference in a sprain and a strain. As defined by the ACE Personal Trainer Manual: A sprain is a traumatic joint twist that results in stretching or tearing of the stabilizing connective tissues and mainly involves ligaments causing discoloration, swelling, and pain. A strain is a stretch, tear, or rip in the muscle or adjacent tissue such as the fascia or tendon.
"Ligament sprains often, but not always, occur with trauma, such as a fall, or during contact sports. The most common joints for sprains include the ankle, knee, thumb/finger, and shoulder. If a sprain occurs, the client may report hearing a 'popping' sound followed by immediate pain, swelling, instability, decreased range of motion, and a loss of function." (ACE Personal Trainer Manual & Anderson, Hall, & Martin, 2008) For minimal tenderness & minimal swelling it is considered a minimal impairment and indicative of only microscopic tearing of collagen fibers. If moderate tenderness, swelling, and decreased range of motion, then you can expect moderate impairment due to complete tears of some but not all collagen fibers in the ligament. You will know if you have a severe impairment if you have significant swelling, tenderness, and instability indicative of a complete tear or rupture of the ligament. In the case of a severe impairment, you might need surgical reconstruction.
"Muscle strains are injuries in which the muscle works beyond its capacity, resulting in microscopic tears of the muscle fibers. In mild strains, the client may report tightness or tension. In more severe cases, the client may report feeling a sudden 'tear' or 'pop' that leads to immediate pain and weakness in the muscle. In addition, swelling, discoloration, and loss of function often occur after the injury (Anderson, Hall, & Martin, 2008). Strains are frequent in the lower extremity and primarily occur in major muscle groups such as the hamstrings, groin, and calf." ACE Personal Trainer Manual
Try to avoid sprains and strains by proper and thoughtful movements, not overstretching beyond your bodies limitations, and by not overusing your muscles and joints. Workout Tidbits
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