title: Joint Contractures Resulting From Prolonged Immobilization: Etiology, Prevention, and Management.
abstract: Patients who are immobilized for a prolonged period are at risk for developing joint contractures, which often affect functional outcomes. Nonsurgical interventions are useful for preventing joint contractures. However, once contractures develop, these interventions frequently fail to restore function over the long term. To increase the rehabilitation potential of an extremity with refractory function-limiting contractures, surgery is often required.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brown University, Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Born
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Avi D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Goodman
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012307:Risk Factors