Contractures

What is a contracture?

A contracture is tightening or shortening of muscles that causes joint stiffness. Contractures can occur in any joint.

How does it occur?

Contractures can occur in any chronic illness, injury, or surgery that results in a long period of bed rest. Because the muscle moves less, it shrinks and shortens. Conditions that may lead to contractures include:

• stroke
• multiple sclerosis
• dementia
• cerebral palsy
• head injury
• hip fractures.

What are the symptoms?

Contractures keep joints from moving freely. Over time, movement becomes even more limited and painful.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. Your provider will examine you and may order tests such as X-rays.

How are contractures treated?

Contractures are usually treated with exercise. Exercises designed by a physical therapist can help joints to move without pain. Caregivers can help with exercises when the person is not able exercise on their own. Splints or braces, called orthotics, can help stretch the muscles and joints.

Some people with contractures are not able to move on their own. These people need to be turned often and their arms and legs massaged to help maintain circulation and keep joints mobile. Massage may also help prevent stiffness and relieve pain. A physical therapist can show the caregiver how to do massage. This treatment also helps prevent pressure ulcers (bedsores).

Surgery may be used in extreme cases to release contractures in order to relieve pain, but normal function will not be restored.

How can it be prevented?

Contractures may be prevented by:

• changing positions
• physical therapy
• continuous passive motion (CPM) machines, which mechanically keep joints in motion.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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