$Unique_ID{BRK01656}
$Pretitle{Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue}
$Title{Surgery of Tendons and Ligaments}
$Subject{tendon ligament surgery}
$Volume{M-18}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Surgery of Tendons and Ligaments


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QUESTION:  Would you please define a leg tendon and a leg ligament in your
newspaper column.  I have often read about football players undergoing surgery
for a torn ligament.  However surgery of the tendon, to my knowledge, has not
occurred.

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ANSWER:  Although both structures are made up of fibrous tissue, the
difference between the two become more apparent when we look at their shapes
and their functions in the body.  Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that
connect bones or cartilage, and serve to support and strengthen the joints.
However tendons are cord like structures that connect muscles to bones, and
transmit the power of the muscular contraction to the bone and produce
movement.  You can easily observe this action by watching the action of the
Achilles' tendon at the back of the ankle.  You can wiggle your foot, by
contracting the muscles in the calf of the leg.  This force is transmitted
along the large tendon to the heel bone (calcaneous) and your foot moves.
     The jarring contact that occurs in football puts great strain on the
ligaments, particularly those that surround and reinforce the knee joint.
When the feet are planted into the turf, and held in place by the cleats on
the shoes, and a tackler comes flying in about knee high, even the tough
fibrous ligaments give way, and tear as the lower leg is pushed into a
position that nature never intended.  Modern orthopedic surgery can repair
these tears and put the player back on the field, after time for healing and
reconditioning.
     While the action of the tendons give them a bit more flexibility and they
are located in positions that are better protected against injury, they can be
torn if there is sufficient trauma.  In such cases, they too may be repaired
by orthopedic surgical techniques, restoring function to normal in most cases.
     Though I have discussed leg tendons and ligaments to answer your
question, the same information is equally true for ligaments and tendons that
may be found in other locations throughout the body.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
