What Is a Contracture?
A contracture is a permanent stiffening of a joint that develops when the joint is not moved sufficiently over a long period. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments shorten, and the joint loses its mobility. The result: everyday movements such as grasping, walking, or dressing become difficult or impossible. With consistent contracture prevention, normal joint mobility can be maintained for as long as possible.
5 Everyday Actions for Contracture Prevention
- Standing up and walking regularly: Movement in everyday life keeps the joints supple and prevents restrictions in mobility.
- Dressing and undressing independently: This actively moves many joints – especially shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
- Performing body care independently: Activities such as washing, combing hair, or brushing teeth promote the mobility of numerous joints.
- Grasping and carrying objects: When setting the table, tidying up, or shopping, hands, fingers, and arms move naturally.
- Regular position changes when sitting or lying: Frequent repositioning and favorable positioning prevent joints from remaining in an unfavorable position for long.
The Principle: Movement Within the Pain-Free Range
The basic rule is: any active movement within the pain-free range contributes to contracture prevention. The goal is to preserve normal joint mobility as fully as possible. It is important that the care recipient does as much as possible themselves – active movement works significantly better than purely passive movement by the caregiver.
Promote Independence Rather Than Taking Over
Even if it would sometimes be faster to take over the tasks: every self-performed movement is contracture prevention in action. Support only where it is truly necessary. With mendracare, you can record within the care team which activities the care recipient still performs themselves and where changes appear – so everyone pulls together and maintains mobility as a team.
