title: Prevention and management of limb contractures in neuromuscular diseases.
abstract: Limb contractures are a common impairment in neuromuscular diseases. They contribute to increased disability from decreased motor performance, mobility limitations, reduced functional range of motion, loss of function for activities of daily living, and increased pain. The pathogenesis of contractures is multifactorial. Myopathic conditions are associated with more severe limb contractures compared with neuropathic disorders. Although the evidence supporting the efficacy of multiple interventions to improve range of motion in neuromuscular diseases in a sustained manner is lacking, there are generally accepted principles with regard to splinting, bracing, stretching, and surgery that help minimize the impact or disability from contractures.
authors.affiliation: Rady Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation, MC 5096, 3020 Children's Way, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Skalsky
authors.forename: Craig M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications; D001176:Arthrogryposis / Q000150:complications; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000150:complications; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000150:complications; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D011187:Posture; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery