Ligaments give joints stability and prevent them from moving abnormally. A severe injury to a joint, more than the ligament can withstand, is a tear of the ligaments called a sprain . Muscles are attached to each other and to bones by fibrous cords called tendons. Overuse or injury of a muscle or a tendon is called a strain . The severity of the symptoms depends on the degree of injury.
More severe forces result in more severe types of injuries and longer times to recover.
Ligaments and tendons can be stretched, torn, or in some cases, may be injured in association with a fracture. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. You can cause further injury. These measures help reduce swelling, pain, and further injury. Discolored areas or bruises may be the result of injured blood vessels.