contracture
Fixed joint stiffness
Contracture is the permanent tightening of muscles, tendons, or other tissues, resulting in restricted movement of a joint.
It typically develops from prolonged immobility, scarring, or neurological conditions: The burn victim developed contractures that limited hand movement.
Physical therapy aims to prevent or reduce contractures through stretching and exercise.
Pathological connective tissue buildup
- ankylosisAbnormal joint fusion
- scarPermanent mark from healing
- adhesionState of clinging fast
- deformityAbnormal body structure
atrophy · sclerosis · shortening · stiffness · immobility · wound · burns · congenital
Pathological muscle tightness
- dystrophyDegenerative tissue disorder
- myopathyDisorder of muscle tissue
- paresisPartial loss of movement
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
clonus · spasm · rigidity · muscular · hypertonia · flaccidity · weakness · wasting
Shared by multiple parties
- muscleContractile body tissue
- tendonMuscle-to-bone connector
- ligamentConnective tissue between bones
- tissueDisposable soft paper
fascia · capsule · flexion · extension · finger · elbow · knee · hip
Rehabilitative movement-based medical care
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- splintingStabilizing injured bones externally
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
- range of motionJoint's movement capacity
rehabilitation · massage · surgery · botox · occupational therapy · orthotics · positioning · manual therapy
Making less loose
- shorteningReducing length or duration
- shrinkageDecrease in size
- stiffeningBecoming less pliable
- fibroticHaving excess connective tissue
scarring · adhesive · restricting · binding · drawing · puckering · constricting
fibrosis
Pathological connective tissue buildup
deformity · atrophy · sclerosis · shortening · stiffness · immobility · wound · burns · congenital · injury
spasticity
Pathological muscle tightness
- dystrophyDegenerative tissue disorder
- myopathyDisorder of muscle tissue
- paresisPartial loss of movement
paralysis · clonus · spasm · rigidity · muscular · hypertonia · flaccidity · weakness · wasting · denervation
joint
Shared by multiple parties
tissue · fascia · capsule · flexion · extension · finger · elbow · knee · hip · shoulder
physical therapy
Rehabilitative movement-based medical care
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- splintingStabilizing injured bones externally
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
range of motion · rehabilitation · massage · surgery · botox · occupational therapy · orthotics · positioning · manual therapy · heat therapy
tightening
Making less loose
- shorteningReducing length or duration
- shrinkageDecrease in size
- stiffeningBecoming less pliable
fibrotic · scarring · adhesive · restricting · binding · drawing · puckering · constricting
- rehabilitationrehab, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, inpatient rehab
- orthopedicsorthopedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery, bone fracture, joint replacement, hip replacement
- disfigurementsscars, scar, scarring, deformities, deformity
- Hand Ailmentstrigger finger, carpal tunnel, jammed finger, broken finger, finger fracture
- muscle movementsflexion, extension, twitch, spasm, cramp
- scarsscar, keloid, cicatrix, scar tissue, pockmark
contracturehypermobility
Excessive joint flexibility
laxity · flexibility · extensibility · suppleness · looseness
contractureelongation
Increase in length
extension · stretching · lengthening · atonia · flaccidity
- contractual obligationEnforceable promise in agreement
- contractual agreementsEnforceable terms between parties
- contractual termsBinding agreement conditions