Contracture - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A contracture is a permanent tightening of muscles, tendons, or skin that reduces flexibility and limits movement in joints. It often results from injury, scarring, or prolonged immobility.
Definition:
A permanent tightening of muscles, tendons, or skin causing restricted movement.
Synonyms:
stiffness, rigidity, spasm
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
flexibility, relaxation
Common Collocations:
muscle contracture, joint contracture, severe contracture
Derivatives:
contractured, contractures
Usage Tips:
Use "contracture" to describe abnormal muscle shortening due to injury or disease, not temporary stiffness.
Common Phrases:
Dupuytren's contracture, fixed contracture, flexion contracture
Etymology:
From Latin "contractura," meaning a drawing together or shrinking.
Examples:
- 1. The physical therapist treated her hand contracture with stretching exercises.
- 2. His knee contracture made walking difficult after the accident.
- 3. Burn survivors often develop skin contractures without proper care.
- 4. The doctor explained that the muscle contracture was irreversible without surgery.