Tendons are the tough cords that connect the muscles to the bones they move.
Depending on which tendon has been cut or torn, you may lose the ability to move a finger, a toe, or even a whole foot. Though tendons are made of very tough fibrous material, they can be cut. In an automobile accident, for example, a piece of sharp metal or broken glass may sever a tendon. You can also tear a tendon by strenuous physical exertion during sports, while jumping, or during an accidental fall. Less serious damage to the tendon may result in an inflammation called tendinitis , which is usually a result of long overuse rather than a single movement.