Physiotherapy for Muscle Contractures

What Are Muscle Contractures?

The shortening or tightening of muscles is said to be muscle contracture. It is also known as contracture deformity. It causes constriction or stiffness in the muscles and joints. Contractures can also occur in tendons, skin, joint capsules (dense connective tissues that help to stabilize the joints and adjoining bones), and ligaments.

Which Muscles Are Commonly Affected by Contractures?

Muscles that have a postural function, which helps keep the body straight, commonly get contracted. Some of them include

• Flexors of hip and knees.

• Calf muscles.

• Spinal erectors.

• Shoulder blade lifters.

• Flexors and short erectors of the cervical region.

• Chest muscles.

What Are the Signs of Muscle Contractures?

• Contracture deformity affects people's normal movements. Muscle contractures cause a limited range of motion and stiffness of the muscles, which makes the person have difficulty moving their hands, straightening their fingers, stretching their legs, and extending other body parts.

• The most common sign of muscle contractures is the decreased ability to move the affected body area.

• Pain may also occur in the affected area, depending on its location and the severity of the problem.

What Are the Causes of Muscle Contractures?

• The most common cause of muscle contractures is not being physically active, and it may also be due to a scar that comes from a burn or injury.

• Medical conditions that may restrict the movements may also cause muscle contractures. Some medical conditions include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These two conditions often cause muscle contractures as they limit the movements of joints and muscles and lead to tightening.

• A person affected by stroke may also cause shortened muscles, resulting in paralysis (complete or partial loss of body functions).

• Some inherited conditions may also cause muscle contractures, which include muscular dystrophy (weakness and loss of muscle mass), Parkinson's disease (central nervous system disorder that affects movement), cerebral palsy (a congenital disorder that affects posture and muscle tone), dementia (impaired ability to think, remember, or make daily life decisions), hip fracture, head injury, and multiple sclerosis (a disease that damages the nerve’s protective covering).

When Should a Person Seek Help?

One should immediately contact the healthcare provider if they get injured or burned and their ability to move the affected part of the body gets limited. Also, they should get treatment for any underlying medical condition or chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (chronic inflammatory disease of the joints), to help prevent or decrease symptoms.

How Are Muscle Contractures Treated?

• Muscle contractures are usually treated by recommending exercises. Exercises designed by a specialized physical therapist can help the person to move their joints without pain.

• Muscle contractures can also be treated through massage therapy.

• Depending on its severity, the doctors may prescribe braces or splints (orthotics), which can stretch the muscles.

• In most severe cases, healthcare professionals recommend surgery to relieve pain and release the contraction.

What Are the Physiotherapy Exercises to Relieve Muscle Contractures?

1. Calf Stretch - The instructions are:

• The person should stand behind a chair and hold on to the chair for support.

• Then, the person should keep one leg back with a straight knee and heel flat on the floor.

• Then, the person should slowly bend their elbows and the knee of their front leg and move their hips forward until they feel the stretch.

• Then, the person should hold the position for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat the exercise on the other side

2. Toe Stretch - The instructions are:

• The person should sit on a chair and extend their affected leg by placing the heel on the floor.

• Then, the person should reach down and pull their big toe up and back with their hand.

• Then, the person should hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat the exercise several times.

3. Knee Flexion - The instructions are:

• The person should lie on their back with their knees bent.

• Then, the person should slide their heel back by bending their affected knee as far as possible.

• Then, the person should hold the position for about ten seconds and relax.

• This exercise should be repeated eight to 12 times and repeated on the other side.

4. Hip Flexion - The instructions are:

• The person should start standing with their feet slightly apart and the hip width.

• Then, the person should place their hands on the hips and move forward by keeping the big step with the heel touching the floor.

• Then, the person should bend the knee of the leg in the front until the thigh of the leg comes parallel to the floor.

• Then, the person should hold the position for six seconds and return to standing.

• Then, the person should repeat the exercise on alternate sides five to ten times.

5. Spinal Erector of the Lumbar Spine - The instructions are:

• The person should lie with their back and bend their knees towards the chest.

• Then, the person should inhale and push their knees against their hand, and by exhaling, the person should pull their knees with their hand closer towards their trunk.

• This exercise should be repeated several times.

6. Chest Muscles Stretch Exercise - The instructions are:

• The person should lie with their back on the edge of the bed and hand their arms down with their shoulders.

• Then, inhaling, the person should lift their arms to a small range and completely relax by exhaling and dropping them down.

• This exercise should be repeated several times.

7. Levator Scapulae Muscle Stretch Exercise - The instructions are:

• The person should sit comfortably on a chair and place one hand straight to the side and the other on their head at the level of their eyes.

• Then, the person should bow their head to the side and relax.

• Then, the person should move their head towards their armpits and extend until they feel a stretch.

• This exercise should be repeated on the opposite side and can be done several times.

• In addition, many exercises help stretch calf muscles, chest muscles, knee flexors, hip flexors, Achilles tendons, spinal erectors, and levator scapulae muscles. Consulting a physical therapist may be beneficial for treating muscle contractures.

How Can a Person Prevent Muscle Contractures?

Muscle contractures can be prevented by:

• Staying active.

• Following exercising instructions properly after an illness.

• Avoid being in the same position for a prolonged time.

• Moving the muscles often.

• Bending the joints whenever possible.

• Getting physical therapy.

• Using equipment that moves the arms and legs and helps in staying flexible.

What Are the Consequences of Delayed Treatment for Muscle Contractures?

Delays in treatment for muscle contractures can make it difficult or nearly impossible for a person to regain the range of motion. They would find it hard to perform daily routine tasks due to stiff joints, muscles, and skin.

Also, people suffering from muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis are usually advised to take continual medical treatment to avoid muscle and joint stiffness and limited movement of the body parts.

Conclusion

Various factors and medical conditions cause muscle contractures. Left untreated, it may cause permanent movement restriction due to stiffness and shortening. Muscle contractures cause difficulties in performing daily activities. Reaching out to a physical therapist may be beneficial.