A torn or severed tendon is a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.
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.