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contracture |
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contracture /con·trac·ture/ (-cher) abnormal shortening of muscle tissue, rendering the muscle highly resistant to passive stretching. Dupuytren's contracture flexion deformity of the fingers or toes, due to shortening, thickening, and fibrosis of the palmar or plantar fascia. ischemic contracture muscular contracture and degeneration due to interference with the circulation from pressure, or from injury or cold. organic contracture permanent and continuous contracture. Volkmann's contracture contraction of the fingers and sometimes of the wrist, or of analogous parts of the foot, with loss of power, after severe injury or improper use of a tourniquet.
Contracture A tightening of muscles that prevents normal movement of the associated limb or other body part. Mentioned in: Cerebral Palsy contracture [kəntrak′chər] Etymology: L, contractura, a pulling together an abnormal, usually permanent condition of a joint, characterized by flexion and fixation. It may be caused by atrophy and shortening of muscle fibers resulting from immobilization or by loss of the normal elasticity of connective tissues or the skin, as from the formation of extensive scar tissue over a joint. See also Volkmann's contracture. contracture (k n a frozen joint in flexion. contracture (k n a permanent shortening, or contraction, of a muscle. contracture abnormal shortening of muscle tissue, rendering the muscle highly resistant to stretching. A contracture can lead to permanent disability. It can be caused by fibrosis of the tissues supporting the muscle or the joint, or by disorders of the muscle fibers themselves. cauliflower contracture a disfiguring result to scarring after an aural hematoma. flexor contracture joint fixed in flexion. inherited multiple tendon contracture contracture Orthopedics A fixed resistance to passive movement of a musculoskeletal unit or joint, usually due to local fibrosis, often caused by prior ischemic insult. See Capsular contracture, Fibromyalgia, Volkman's ischemic
contracture. Cf Contraction. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Flexor contracture leads to loss of function (eg, difficulty in grasping and walking). |
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