BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuContracture deformityDeformity - contractureA 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, and 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.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Contracture can be caused by any of the following:Brain and nervous system disorders, such as cerebral palsy or stroke Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that involve the brain. This affects nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inherited disorders (such as muscular dystrophy) Muscular dystrophyMuscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve damage Reduced use (for example, from lack of mobility or injuries) Severe muscle and bone injuries Scarring after traumatic injury or burns Scarring after traumatic injuryVolkmann contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. The condition is also called Vol...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Contact 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 The provider will ask about your symptoms. Questions may include when the symptoms began, whether or not you have pain in the affected area, and what treatments you've had in the past.Depending on the cause and type of contracture, you may need tests such as an x-ray.x-rayAn 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 ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include physical therapy, medicines, and orthopedic braces. Surgery may be helpful for some types of contractures.Open ReferencesReferencesCampbell TM, Dudek N, Trudel G. Joint contractures. In: Frontera, WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 127.Miller RH, Azar FM, Throckmorton TW. Shoulder and elbow injuries. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 46.AllVideoImagesTogContracture 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 deformityillustrationContracture 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 deformityillustrationRelated Information Dupuytren contracture(Condition)Volkmann contracture(Condition)Becker muscular dystrophy(Condition)Cerebral palsy(Condition)Duchenne muscular dystrophy(Condition) Review Date: 9/20/2022 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 C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Contracture deformityDeformity - contractureA 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, and 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.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Contracture can be caused by any of the following:Brain and nervous system disorders, such as cerebral palsy or stroke Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that involve the brain. This affects nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inherited disorders (such as muscular dystrophy) Muscular dystrophyMuscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited disorders that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve damage Reduced use (for example, from lack of mobility or injuries) Severe muscle and bone injuries Scarring after traumatic injury or burns Scarring after traumatic injuryVolkmann contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. The condition is also called Vol...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Contact 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 The provider will ask about your symptoms. Questions may include when the symptoms began, whether or not you have pain in the affected area, and what treatments you've had in the past.Depending on the cause and type of contracture, you may need tests such as an x-ray.x-rayAn 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 ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include physical therapy, medicines, and orthopedic braces. Surgery may be helpful for some types of contractures.Open ReferencesReferencesCampbell TM, Dudek N, Trudel G. Joint contractures. In: Frontera, WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 127.Miller RH, Azar FM, Throckmorton TW. Shoulder and elbow injuries. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 46.