contracture
/kənˈtraktʃə
/noun [mass noun] Medicine
A condition of shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, or other tissue, often leading to deformity and rigidity of joints: contracture of the hip in cerebral palsy [count noun]: the contractures had been caused by intramuscular injections...
- General management of the arthritic process is important, with physiotherapy to prevent joint contracture.
- Forearm and lower leg measurements cross joints and could be affected by joint deformity such as contracture.
- During the immobilization of a fracture, all nonimmobilized parts must be moved to avoid stiffness, muscle atrophy and joint contractures.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from French, or from Latin contractura, from Latin contract- 'drawn together', from the verb contrahere.
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