Meaning of contracture in English:
contracture
Pronunciation /kənˈtraktʃə/
noun
mass nounMedicine
A condition of shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, or other tissue, often leading to deformity and rigidity of joints.
‘contracture of the hip in cerebral palsy’
- ‘the contractures had been caused by intramuscular injections’
- ‘General management of the arthritic process is important, with physiotherapy to prevent joint contracture.’
- ‘Forearm and lower leg measurements cross joints and could be affected by joint deformity such as contracture.’
- ‘During the immobilization of a fracture, all nonimmobilized parts must be moved to avoid stiffness, muscle atrophy and joint contractures.’
- ‘In capsular contracture, scar tissue forms around the breast implant and contracts, which can result in pain and loss of breast contour.’
- ‘This minimises the risk of wound contracture causing ectropion.’
Origin
Mid 17th century from French, or from Latin contractura, from Latin contract- ‘drawn together’, from the verb contrahere.