Question

How do you tell if a tendon is torn or strained?

Answer 1

You can tell if a tendon is torn or strained through imaging tests like an MRI and ultrasounds to confirm if the tendon is torn or strained.

Other ways you can tell if a tendon is torn or strained by the symptoms.

When a tendon is torn, there's often a "pop" or "snap" sound that is felt or heard at the moment of the injury that caused the torn tendon.

With a torn tendon there's also immediate, severe pain, and intense pain that may not go away quickly and there is often a visible deformity, like a gap in the tendon or an abnormal bump, like "Popeye" muscle for biceps.

And there is often significant loss in function and an inability to move the joint or bear weight, like unable to rise on toes with a torn Achilles and rapid swelling and bruising, which occurs quickly due to tissue damage.

When a tendon is strained, there will be a gradual onset of pain, and the pain with the strained tendon develops over time, or mild immediate pain as well as local tenderness and pain that is localized to one spot, which increases with pressure.

Stiffness and muscle spasms are also common with strained tendons, which is where the muscles near the torn tendon may feel tight or cramp and you often have difficulty moving the muscle, but usually, it's not completely unusable.

A doctor can see if a tendon is torn by using a combination of physical examination and diagnostic imaging.

During your physical exam for the torn tendon, the doctor will assess your pain, swelling, strength and range of motion and will often also use specialized maneuvers like the Thompson Test for Achilles tears or the hook test for bicep tears to check for structural integrity.

Imaging tests for a torn tendon are often MRI and ultrasounds that are used to confirm if the tendon is torn and to also assess it's severity.

Torn tendons will usually hurt immediately as torn tendons and ruptured tendons will often cause immediate, sharp and even often severe pain at the time of the injury.

Most people with torn tendons, hear or feel a distinct "pop" or "snap" sound when their tendon tears.

Aside from just the sudden pain from a torn tendon, an acute tendon rupture is also frequently accompanied by several other signs which include a visual deformity, loss of function, rapid physical changes and auditory or sensory Pop" sounds.

In some cases of a torn tendon, like a bicep or Achilles tendon rupture, you might also notice a visible deformity or "bunching" of the muscle.

With a torn tendon or torn tendons you may also have marked weakness, inability to move the affected limb, or an inability to bear weight on the injured area.

Immediate bruising and swelling at the site of the injury with a torn tendon will often also occur.

And at the time of the torn tendon injury, a loud snapping or popping sound or feeling at the time of the injury is also common.

Acute tendon tears cause immediate, intense pain and dysfunction.

And chronic issues or minor or partial tendon tears, may sometimes present as a dull, nagging ache which intensifies with activity or movement over time.

And because complete tendon ruptures often require medical treatment, like bracing, physical therapy or surgery, it's crucial that you seek medical attention right away or see an orthopedic specialist if you experience these symptoms to ensure you get a proper diagnosis and prevent any long term complications.

If you think you've torn a tendon, you should seek medical attention by going to the ER or urgent care to get checked out.