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Contracture deformity
Deformity - contracture
A contracture develops when the normally stretchy (elastic) tissues are replaced by nonstretchy (inelastic) fiber-like tissue. This tissue makes it hard to stretch the area and prevents normal movement.
Contractures mostly occur in the skin, the tissues underneath, and the muscles, tendons, ligaments surrounding a joint. They affect range of motion and function in a certain body part. Often, there is also pain.
Range of motion
Limited range of motion is a term meaning that a joint or body part cannot move through its normal range of motion.
Causes
Contracture can be caused by any of the following:
-
Brain and nervous system disorders, such as
cerebral palsy
or stroke
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking...
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Inherited disorders (such as
muscular dystrophy
)
Muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.
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- Reduced use (for example, from lack of mobility)
-
Scarring after traumatic injury
or burns
Scarring after traumatic injury
Volkmann ischemic contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm.
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Home Care
Follow your health care provider's instructions for treating contracture at home. Treatments may include:
- Doing exercises and stretches
- Using braces and splints
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if:
- A contracture seems to be developing.
- You notice a decreased ability to move a joint.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Depending on the cause and type of contracture, you may need tests such as an x-ray .
x-ray
An extremity x-ray is an image of the hands, wrist, feet, ankle, leg, thigh, forearm humerus or upper arm, hip, shoulder or all of these areas. The ...
Physical therapy, medicines, orthopedic braces, or surgery may be helpful for some types of contractures.
References
Campbell M, Dudek N, Trudel G. Joint contractures. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 126.
Skalsky AJ, McDonald CM. Prevention and management of limb contractures in neuromuscular diseases. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am . 2012;23(3):675-687. PMID: 22938881 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22938881 .
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Contracture deformity - illustration
A contracture is a fixed tightening of muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin. It prevents normal movement of the associated body part. An injury such as a severe burn can cause contracture of the skin. The skin becomes scarred and nonelastic which limits the range of movement of the affected area.
Contracture deformity
illustration
-
Contracture deformity - illustration
A contracture is a fixed tightening of muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin. It prevents normal movement of the associated body part. An injury such as a severe burn can cause contracture of the skin. The skin becomes scarred and nonelastic which limits the range of movement of the affected area.
Contracture deformity
illustration
Review Date: 9/22/2016
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
