What happens if tendons stretch

As we age, our bodies gradually dehydrate to some extent. It is believed that "stretching stimulates the production or retention of lubricants between the connective tissue fibers, thus preventing the formation of adhesions". Hence, exercise can delay some of the loss of flexibility that occurs due to the aging process. Alter further states that some of the physical changes attributed to aging are the following: An increased amount of calcium deposits, adhesions, and cross-links in the body An increase in the level of fragmentation and dehydration Changes in the chemical structure of the tissues.

Loss of suppleness due to the replacement of muscle fibers with fatty, collagenous fibers. This does not mean that you should give up trying to achieve flexibility if you are old or inflexible. It just means that you need to work harder, and more carefully, for a longer period of time when attempting to increase flexibility. Increases in the ability of muscle tissues and connective tissues to elongate stretch can be achieved at any age.

Strength and Flexibility Overflexibility : next section Factors Limiting Flexibility : previous section Flexibility : beginning of chapter Strength training and flexibility training should go hand in hand. It is a common misconception that there must always be a trade-off between flexibility and strength. Obviously, if you neglect flexibility training altogether in order to train for strength then you are certainly sacrificing flexibility and vice versa.

However, performing exercises for both strength and flexibility need not sacrifice either one. As a matter of fact, flexibility training and strength training can actually enhance one another. Static stretching of fatigued muscles see section Static Stretching performed immediately following the exercise s that caused the fatigue, helps not only to increase flexibility, but also enhances the promotion of muscular development muscle growth , and will actually help decrease the level of post-exercise soreness.

Here's why: After you have used weights or other means to overload and fatigue your muscles, your muscles retain a "pump" and are shortened somewhat.

This "shortening" is due mostly to the repetition of intense muscle activity that often only takes the muscle through part of its full range of motion. This "pump" makes the muscle appear bigger. The "pumped" muscle is also full of lactic acid and other by-products from exhaustive exercise.

If the muscle is not stretched afterward, it will retain this decreased range of motion it sort of "forgets" how to make itself as long as it could and the buildup of lactic acid will cause post-exercise soreness. Static stretching of the "pumped" muscle helps it to become "looser", and to "remember" its full range of movement. It also helps to remove lactic acid and other waste-products from the muscle. Excessive stretching is not good for your Achilles tendon. In most cases, for the patients I see, these stretches put too much tension on the already tender achilles tendon.

Contracting the muscle when it is in a stretched position, as initial therapy of an injured achilles tendon is not a good thing. To do this exercise: Sit up straight in a chair, with the feet flat on the floor. Place the left foot on the right thigh. Pull the toes up, toward the ankle. Hold for 10 seconds. Massaging the arch of the foot while stretching will help ease tension and pain.

Repeat this exercise 10 times on each foot. Tendons usually fail by tearing away from the bone common for rotator cuff and bicep tendon injuries , or rupture within the tendon itself frequent in Achilles tendon injury. Tendons may heal through a conservative treatment, or may require surgery. Signs and Symptoms of a Torn Ligament A torn ligament can result in varying degrees of pain and discomfort, depending on the extent of the injury. It may produce heat, extensive inflammation, popping or cracking noises, severe pain, instability within the joint and an inability to put weight or pressure on the joint.

What would happen if tendons are stretchy? Category: medical health bone and joint conditions. Tendons are not even supposed to be able to lengthen. How do I make my tendons stronger? Can tendons and ligaments be stretched? What is the difference between muscle and tendon? What is the difference between a ligament and a tendon? Does exercise make tendonitis worse? The injury can be very painful. Severe strains may take weeks or months to heal.

Trauma from falling or suddenly twisting a tendon can cause a strain. People who are inactive may be more vulnerable to strains, especially if they suddenly become active or experience muscle weakness because of inactivity. Tendinitis happens when a tendon becomes inflamed and irritated. Tendinitis can develop following trauma, such as a strain, but it is most commonly an overuse injury.

People with tendinitis may notice that the area is painful, swollen, and warm to the touch. Tendinosis is a type of tear that is similar to a strain, but it usually happens over many months or years because of overuse or incorrect athletic technique.

Subluxation happens when a tendon moves out of place. A person might hear a popping or snapping sound when it happens and then experience pain and weakness in the affected joint. Sometimes, the pain will come and go. Subluxation is more likely in people with certain genetic anatomical differences, but tendons can also snap out of place as a result of an injury.

Tendon ruptures can also occur. These injuries may be due to a combination of immediate trauma and chronic trauma. Ruptures commonly affect the Achilles tendons, biceps, knees, and quadriceps. A sprain occurs when a ligament stretches or tears. It can be a temporary, minor inconvenience or a debilitating injury that takes months to heal. The knees, ankles, and wrists are highly vulnerable to sprains from falls, especially if a person lands in an awkward position that stretches and twists the ligament.

Some types of ligament injury are more common than others. For example, a torn anterior cruciate ligament ACL is a common type of knee sprain.

At some point after a ligament injury, the joint may feel unstable. This instability is very common with sprained ankles and knees. Read more about the difference between sprains and strains here. Aside from strains and sprains, people can also bruise the tendons or ligaments, along with the surrounding tissue.

Elbow strains often happen in racquet, throwing, and contact sports. A severe sprain or strain may need surgery or immobilization, followed by physical therapy. Mild sprains and strains may need rehab exercises and a change in activity during recovery. In all but mild cases, your healthcare provider should evaluate the injury and establish a treatment and rehab plan. Meanwhile, rest, ice, compression, and elevation called RICE usually will help minimize damage caused by sprains and strains.

Start RICE right away after the injury. RICE relieves pain, limits swelling, and speeds healing. Here's what to do:. Apply ice right away to reduce inflammation, which causes more pain and slows healing. Cover the injured area with an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for about 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day.

Using a pressure bandage helps prevent or reduce swelling. Use an elastic bandage and wrap the injured area without making it so tight that it will cut off the blood supply. Raise the injured area above the level of the heart. Prop up a leg or arm while resting it. You may need to lie down to get your leg above your heart level.