Contractures (AOTA)

Question 1

contracture

Answer 1

fixed posture d/t shortening of skin, ligaments, joint capsule, tendons, and muscles

resulting from conditions such as
burns,
wound healing,
muscle imbalance d/t peripheral nerve injury, SCI,
increased muscle tone d/t stroke, head injury, CP

Question 2

type of tissue that responds to therapy

Answer 2

soft tissue

Question 3

Impairment that requires surgery

Answer 3

bony block

Question 4

Evaluations for contractures

Answer 4

AROM

PROM

Question 5

3 steps in tx of contractures

Answer 5

1. superficial and deep heat to increase tissue extensibility
2. slow stretch
3. static splinting

Question 6

antideformity (safe position) burn splint positioning

Answer 6

wrist 20* ext
MCP joints 90* flexion
PIP & DIP joints 0*ext

Question 7

elbow or knee extension splint positioning

Answer 7

in as much extension as possible

Question 8

splint to prevent wrist drop

Answer 8

wrist extension splint

functional splint with 45* wrist ext worn during day

Question 9

splint to prevent thumb adduction contracture

Answer 9

thumb abduction splint

splint forms C bar between thumb and index web space

Question 10

splint to prevent MCP hyperextension and IP flexion contractures

Answer 10

lumbercal bar splint

MCPs are splinted to block hyper extension

Question 11

splints to decrease tone in hand and UE

Answer 11

resting hand, ball, and cone antispasticity splints

Question 12

splints for rheumatoid arthritis and CP to increase functional use of hand

Answer 12

soft neoprene to position thumb and forearm

Question 13

splint to prevent foot drop for possible ambulation

Answer 13

below the knee splint to keep ankles plantarflexion/dorsiflexion at 0*