Contracture is the term used to describe the contracted position of a muscle resulting in its being unable to move freely. Contracture can affect many different muscles and tissues, but it is most often seen in the limbs due to prolonged immobilization. Muscle contractures may be caused by ill-fitting braces as well as other causes. However, there are certain factors that trigger contracture more than others. Read on to know more about the causes of muscle contracture, precautions you should take against contractures, home remedies for contracting muscles and preventive measures you can adopt to prevent contractures from happening again.
What Is Muscle Contracture?
Muscle contracture is the phenomenon in which a muscle becomes over-engorged with blood, causing it to be shortened. When a muscle is lengthened, it is stretched to a certain degree. However, when a muscle is shortened, it is stretched to a certain degree, but not to its full extent. When a muscle is over-engorged with blood, the arteries supplying it are stretched and the muscle is also stretched as well. This causes the muscle to contract with less force and in an abnormal way. This abnormal contraction can result in the muscle becoming shorter, tighter, and more prone to injury.
Is Muscle Contracture Dangerous?
Another common misconception is that contracting muscles are dangerous. This is not true as contracting muscles are only contracted in a less than optimal way. However, contracting muscles can lead to contractures, which are dangerous. A contracture is a condition in which a muscle has become short and tight. Consequent to this, contracting muscles are also prone to injury. Injury to contracting muscles can lead to permanent disability and impaired function.
Causes of Muscle Contracture
– Pregnancy – Spinal Cord Injury – Dehydration – Leg Injury – Leg Fracture – Chronic Wasting Disease – Cancer – Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness – Pharmacological Muscle Soreness – Neuromuscular Junction Injury – Autonomic Dysfunction – Idiopathic Muscle Contracture – Inherited Muscle Contracture – Post-surgical Muscle Contracture – Contracture Prevention – Conclusion
Precautionary Measures to Avoid Contractures
If you suspect your child has contracted an over-engorged muscle, SEE A DOCTOR. Signs of contracture in children include pain, a shortened muscle, and immobility of the muscles. If a child has contracted an over-engorged muscle, simple stretching of the muscle can be done, but the child will have to be taken to a doctor for treatment. Over-engorged muscles can be stretched gently by an orthopedic surgeon. To prevent contractures, always ensure the brace fits properly and is not cutting off the blood supply to the muscle. If a brace is cutting off the blood supply to the muscle, it is too tight.
Contracture Prevention
The best way to prevent contractures is to ensure the brace fits properly and is not cutting off the blood supply to the muscle. If a brace is cutting off the blood supply to the muscle, it is too tight. Additionally, make sure your child does not lift anything heavy or strain their muscles while wearing the brace, especially during their first few weeks of wearing it.
Conclusion
The muscle contracture is a result of over-activity or an injury that causes the muscle to contract abnormally. Prolonged inactivity, infection, or surgery can also cause contractures in muscle. Contractures can be painful and disruptive to your daily life. The good news is that if you know what the causes of contracture are and what precautions you can take, contractures can be prevented. The best way to prevent contractures is to ensure the brace fits properly and is not cutting off the blood supply to the muscle. If a brace is cutting off the blood supply to the muscle, it is too tight. Additionally, make sure your child does not lift anything heavy or strain their muscles while wearing the brace, especially during their first few weeks of wearing it.
