In its most common use, a ligament is a short band of tough fibrous dense regular connective tissue that connects bones to other bones to form a joint. Some ligaments limit the mobility of articulations, or prevent certain movements altogether.
Ligaments are only elastic; when under tension, they gradually lengthen. (Unlike tendons which are inelastic). This is one reason why dislocated joints must be set as quickly as possible: if the ligaments lengthen too much, then the joint will be weakened, becoming prone to future dislocations. The consequence of a broken ligament can be instability of the joint. Not all broken ligaments need surgery, but if surgery is needed to stabilize the joint, the broken ligament can be joined.
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