Contracture deformity

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Contracture deformity

Alternative Names:

Deformity - contracture

Home Care:

Home care continues the care that the health care provider prescribes. For example, physical therapy exercises must be continued at home.

Call your health care provider if:

A contracture seems to be developing.
You notice a decreased ability to move a joint.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your tightness or limited movement, such as:

When did it start?
How would you describe it? Where is it located? How bad is it?
How much movement is there?
What other symptoms are also present?

Depending on the cause and type of contracture, diagnostic testing (such as an x-ray) may be necessary.

Physical therapy, orthopedic braces, or surgery may be helpful for some types of contractures.

Review Date: 7/4/2004
Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Steadman-Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation, Vail, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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