Contractures

Joint Contractures occur when structures outside and inside a joint limit motion. These include everything from tight skin, to shortened ligaments and bony irregularities. Tough, gluey adhesions may form after an injury as a biproduct of bleeding within the joint, tethering the bones. The articular cartilage may be damaged, causing an arthritic joint with its attendant pain and stiffness.

Normal cartilage at the end of each bone comprising a joint is necessary for the almost frictionless gliding of one bone on the other.

Occupational and physical therapy are the primary treatments. Surgery, often arthroscopically assisted, is useful in helping severe cases.