Muscles and ligaments have entirely different roles and functions in the human body. Muscles are important structures in the body that produce force and movement. On the other hand, the ligaments’ primary function is to stabilise the joints by absorbing forces.
Both muscles and ligaments work closely together to help protect and control the joints. By sensing forces that shift across the ligament, they can prompt muscles to activate across the joint. In terms of injuries, ligaments will mostly sprain or tear. While muscles face a larger range of injuries.
Muscle tears and strains (grade I and grade II)
Grade III strains or complete ruptures
Contusions or ‘corkies’
Compartment syndrome
Laceration or deep cuts
Radiculopathies or referred nerve pain.
Sprains, tears or ruptures to the knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
Ankle’s lateral and medial ligaments
Ligaments around the thumb and fingers
Elbow’s ulnar and radial collateral ligaments
Ligaments of the sacroiliac joint
Long ligaments that span along the spine
It can be difficult to self-diagnose whether your pain is caused by an injury to a muscle or a ligament because of their similar locations and causes. However, the table below will outline ways to tell if your pain is caused by a muscle or ligament injury.
| Ligament Injuries | Muscle Injuries | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Usually immediately | Usually immediately but can be gradual (e.g. compartment syndrome, referred pain, etc.) |
| Causes | Sudden and unexpected movements that lead to overstretching of the joints (e.g. changing directions, rolling the ankle, etc.) | Sudden and unexpected movements that load the muscle - especially during high intensity (e.g. jumping, sprinting, etc.) |
| A brief moment of joint instability due to trauma | Direct trauma onto the muscle (e.g. contusions, compartment syndrome, etc.) | |
| Ligament injuries typically do not happen over time | Symptoms and pain that build up over time (e.g. compartment syndrome, referred pain, etc.) | |
| Symptoms | A large degree of immediate swelling and bruising | Bruising and swelling can occur in injuries, such as strain and contusion injuries. However, they may be absent in other types of injuries, such as referred pain |
| Pain around the joints during movement | Feeling of weakness through the muscle during movement | |
| Feeling of unsteadiness or looseness through the joint | Pain in the muscle during movement |
There are several options when it comes to diagnosing tendon and ligament injuries. The most common approach is to be assessed by a qualified physiotherapist.
If you are suffering from any pain or injury, it is crucial to get help early to avoid further problems.
Ice can be applied during the first 24-48 hours to help with pain and swelling.
Elevating the injured area above chest height to minimise swelling and bruising (if there is any at all).
Compression over the injured area to provide support, comfort and reduce swelling.
Resting or reduced movement from the injured area to encourage recovery.
After 48-72 hours, gentle movements should be commenced to prevent deconditioning and promote recovery.
Muscles and ligaments are different structures with defined roles in the body. As a result, the outlook of injuries to these structures will vary. While the recovery timeline will depend on injury severity, ligaments will generally take longer as they possess poorer blood flow. Speed up your recovery by consulting a physiotherapist who understands the nuanced approaches to rehabilitation between the two.
