Tendon or Ligament? - What’s the Difference?

You’ve probably all heard of tendons or ligaments but have you every wondered what they are and what the difference is?

If you have, you’ve come to the right place!

Commonalities

What do they have in common.

Tendons and ligaments are both 

• Are constructed of fibrous connective tissue,

• Help to stabilise our skeleton, and

• Allow us to move.[i][ii]

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 They also both stretch or tear somewhat easily and share common symptoms when they are injured.[iii]

Differences

The most important difference is what they connect to:

• Ligament connects bone to bone, whereas

• Tendons attach muscle to bone.[iv]

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• This means that ligaments are located at our joints while

• Tendons are located where the muscles connect to the bone.[v]

Ligaments also tend to be stretchier than tendons.[vi]

Injuries – Sprains and Strains

Ligament and tendons can both be stretched or torn.

This can often result in

• Swelling,

• Stiffness,

• Pain, and

• Reduced function.[vii]

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The immediate treatment is often the same – using the RICER pneumonic (Please see a medical professional for treatment. This does not constitute medical advice).

• Rest

• Ice

• Compression

• Elevation

• Referral

While the symptoms and immediate treatments are similar, there are differences in the causes and locations of these injuries.

Ligaments

When a ligament is stretched or torn, it is known as sprain.[viii]

They often occur during falls or blows and are common in

• Wrists,

• Knees, and

• Ankles.[ix]

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Tendons

When a tendon is stretched or town, it is known as a strain.[x]

They often occur during repeated movements and/or overuse and are common in the

• Back,

• Leg, and

• Foot.[xi] 

Tendonitis is a specific tendon injury where the tendon becomes inflamed. While this can occur from overuse, it also can occur as we age and our tendons weaken over time.[xii]

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Injury Prevention

You can take these precautions to help protect your tendons and ligaments from injury.

• Warm up before exercising.

• Slowly build up while exercising.

• Vary your exercise types – include cardiovascular exercise and strength training.

• Have rest days or vary activities to allow your ligaments and tendons to recover.

• Listen to your body – if it says rest, then rest.

• Stretch after exercise.[xiii]
  

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Conclusion

Ligaments and tendons have several key differences including where they are located and how they are injured. Despite this, they both look appear similar when they are injured and we can prevent injuring them and treat immediate injuries in very similar ways.

[i] https://www.healthline.com/health/ligament-vs-tendon#function

[ii] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326858

[iii] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326858#injuries

[iv] https://www.healthline.com/health/ligament-vs-tendon#function

[v] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326858#injuries

[vi] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326858#injuries

[vii] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/sprains-and-strains

[viii] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326858#injuries

[ix] https://www.healthline.com/health/ligament-vs-tendon#function

[x] https://www.healthline.com/health/ligament-vs-tendon#function

[xi] https://www.healthline.com/health/ligament-vs-tendon#function

[xii] https://www.healthline.com/health/ligament-vs-tendon#function

[xiii] https://www.healthline.com/health/ligament-vs-tendon#prevention