Tendon or bone injury: what's worse?

Tendons attach to bones, taking the force of the muscle and applying it to bone. Bones are hard, consisting mostly of minerals such as calcium, and provide structure and protection to the human body.

Nobody wants an employee with either a broken bone or a damaged tendon, but too often we assume that a fractured bone is more serious, causes more pain, and takes longer to heal than “just” a torn or detached tendon.

In some cases this is true, but the reality is that a tendon injury can cause longer lasting problems than a broken bone. Here are some reasons why.

At the point where the bone inserts itself into the bone, the tissues of the tendon change in composition so they can attach to the bone. The attachment is so strong that an injury isn’t likely to dislodge the tendon. However, when the tendon is ripped from its moorings, it can be a serious challenge even for a skilled orthopedic surgeon to sew the fragmented tissues it back together again and re-attach them to the bone. Recovery from tendon repair surgery can take ten weeks or longer, and for a significant number of persons, the damage can never be eliminated.

Whether your worker suffers from a fracture or a tendon injury—or both—be sure to support the advice of your provider team regarding lifting, moving, or other actions that can put strain on the injury and make it difficult for the worker to achieve a full recovery.