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What Are the Causes of Totally Separated Tendons?

The tendon is a tissue in the human body that functions as a means of attaching muscle to bone. Tendons are tough, but they have some flexibility. The normal position of a tendon is stretched tight, but when muscles contract the tendons pull on the bones, thus allowing the body part to move. When tendons separate, tear or rupture, they are no longer attached, and the affected body part can no longer move.

  1. Cuts

    • A cut to the flexor tendon in the finger can cause a total separation.

      Flexor tendons are found in each finger on the hand. A common injury that causes this tendon to become totally separated is a cut. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a cut to the finger that tears the tendon causes it to separate from the bone. When the separation is total, the finger cannot be moved since the tendon is no longer attached. Surgery is the only cure as the tendon will never reattach itself.

    Aging

    • Elderly people are subject to separated tendons due to their age.

      As humans get older, our body parts lose their strength due to use and the aging process. Tendons are just as prone to this process as any other body part. According to iTendonitis, the blood flow to the tendon declines, and thus the tendon loses some of its strength. When the tendon is weak, and used in what may be normal situations for a young person, the tendon can rupture (or separate).

    Disease

    • Certain diseases can cause tendons to separate, due to the effect the disease has on the human body. For those people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, tendons may spontaneously rupture. Other diseases that can cause separated tendons are gout and hyperparathyroidism. These diseases, like the aging process, cause the tendons to weaken.

    Sports Injuries

    • The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the heel of the foot.

      The trauma of certain sports, whether recreational, amateur or professional, can cause separated tendons. Such sports as football, wrestling, rugby, and rock climbing, can produce this type of injury. One such injury is the Achilles tendon rupture. The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the heel of the foot. It is a large tendon that, when subjected to strong force, can separate from the muscle.

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