What is a tendon: definition, functions, examples

What is a tendon? This is part of the human muscle, which is represented by a connective tissue. Due to this, it can be attached to the skeleton. They can be long and short, wide and narrow, have different intricate shapes (ribbon-shaped, cord-like, rounded).

Structure of tendons

Knowing the definition, you can try to imagine the appearance of this element of the human body. What is a tendon? These are compactly arranged parallel bundles of collagen and elastin fibers. Between the filaments are located fibrocytes. A special feature is that fibrous elements predominate over the cellular elements. This provides the entire structure with strength and low extensibility.

Vessels and nerves fall into the tendon from the side of the muscle or periosteum in the place of attachment. With age, there is a certain disproportion in relation to the muscular and tendon parts of the muscles. The newborn tendon is practically not developed, and until the puberty, the process of increasing muscle mass goes in parallel with the growth of collagen fibers. Then, until the age of twenty-five, the tendon part actively grows. In the elderly, the fibers lose their elasticity and become more fragile.

Functions of tendons

What is a tendon? It is an element that holds the muscle and attaches it to the bone sites. They provide the functions of the musculoskeletal system:

- supporting, that is, they create a support for organs and soft tissues, and also keep the overlying segments of the body;
- locomotor - as a part of the muscle, participate in the movement of a person in space;
- protective - in a certain way protect the neurovascular bundles and organs from damage.

The mechanical properties of tendons depend on their size and the ratio of collagen and elastin fibers. The wider the ligament and the more collagen in it, the stronger it is. And vice versa, the thinner and softer, the easier it is deformed.

Inflammation

Human tendons are prone to pathological processes, like any other body structure. There are several types of inflammatory diseases inherent in tendons, which are accompanied by disabilities of the musculoskeletal system.

1. Tendonitis. It arises from prolonged constant tension of the tendon. At the same time, changes in the structure of the tissue develop, which can lead to the breakdown of this muscle fragment. This type of inflammation significantly reduces the strength of the tendons and increases the likelihood of their rupture. Tendinitis can be of infectious origin, when the infection is entered either as a result of injury, or with a current of fluid through the body, such as blood or lymph. As a rule, athletes suffer from dystrophic tendonitis.
2. Paratenonitis. It is an aseptic inflammation of the cellulose that surrounds the tendon. This pathology is usually associated with recurring joint injuries. The space between the fascia and the tendon pours out blood, and swelling develops. After the first symptoms, this inflammatory focus is transformed into fibrous tissue. The tendon loses mobility, and the movements become painful.

Stretching

What is a tendon? This is a combination of collagen and elastin threads in a certain ratio. If excessive force is applied to this anatomical formation, the tendon is stretched. This is the most common type of injury to date. As a rule, it is observed in the knee and ankle joint with a sharp movement.

The strongest muscles of the human body are located on the legs, which means that the tendons are strong and must withstand significant loads. But sometimes there are unsuccessful falls, spontaneous movements that provoke the stretching of the tendons.

There are three degrees of difficulty in stretching:

1. The first degree is a small pain that is aggravated by movement.
2. The second degree is a severe pain with edema of the injury site, muscle weakness and increased discomfort during physical exertion.
3. The third degree is the complete or partial rupture of the tendon and, as a consequence, the contraction of the muscle.

Rupture and damage to the tendon of the hand

The tendons on the arm are thin enough, but they are strong, so they can only be damaged if they are injured or injured, such as an accident at work, inaccurate handling of construction equipment and so on. The tendons of the wrist and forearm are mostly damaged. Most often this is a group of flexors.

Tendons on the arm closely intertwined with blood vessels and nerves, so often there is a combined defeat of these anatomical formations. To restore the integrity of tissues resorted to the help of surgeons. The operation is complex and time-consuming, as it is necessary to sew not only the cut tendons, but also nerves and vessels, and also to check whether the brush function has been preserved after all manipulations.

Damage to the tendons of the fingers

Damage to the tendons of the fingers can be suspected when there is no active bending of phalanges or interphalangeal joints. This indicates that the pathological process is located in the area of the superficial and deep flexor of the fingers. In order to check the integrity of the structures, they resort to radiography.

To treat such trauma is necessary exclusively by an operative way. Exceptions are fresh ruptures of distal interphalangeal joints. In this case, you can do with immobilization for up to a month and a half. In case of an open injury, first stop the bleeding, close the wound with a sterile dressing and use the tire to fix it, and then resort to a surgical procedure anyway.

Rupture and damage to the tendon of the foot

Tendons on the leg also have three degrees of damage:

1. First - minor pain, swelling in the ankle. The victim is able to step on the foot. Discomfort disappears a few days later from the start of therapy.
2. The second - a swelling of the joint, a sharp pain when moving.
3. The third is a rupture of the tendon on the leg, a large swelling of the joint, constant severe pain.

A rupture of the Achilles tendon, which is attached to the calcaneus, appears due to a strong tension. Separation, as a rule, complete. The reasons may be considered a direct impact of a solid object in this area, or a sharp contraction of the triceps muscle of the shin. This injury is often found in athletes athletes, especially runners.

Treatment for fresh ruptures is the imposition of a percutaneous suture on the tendon and the application of a plaster bandage. It will take a whole month to wear it. Then it will be removed to remove the seam, and after the foot again fixed for another four weeks. If the rupture is old, then the removal of damaged tissues with subsequent plastic is performed.

Pain in the tendons

Tendon rupture is accompanied by sharp pain, but not only this type of damage can cause uncomfortable sensations. Doctors daily have to deal with complaints of pain in the tendons.

As a rule, most often these people develop tendonitis, tendonosis, or tenosynovitis. They may appear due to incorrect posture, sitting in an uncomfortable position or lack of warm-up before sports activities. In addition, do not throw off and infectious diseases, such as arthritis, which can also cause pain in the tendons. The presence of shortening of bone structures after fractures also contributes to the appearance of pain, because due to asymmetric load distribution the healthy side wears out more quickly.

The presence of pain in the tendons affects the surrounding tissues. Unbearable pain occurs in deposits of calcifications, impaired mobility of the shoulder joint, tendonosis. The cause may also be an excessive effort to perform any movement, at the limit of the strength of the tendon. With prolonged intense stress, fibrosis and necrosis can develop.