About Us

• Meet Our Team
• Why Choose Us
• Law Firm Overview
• FAQ

Blog

Nursing Home Negligence

Read All

What Our Clients Say

Library Articles

Nursing Home Negligence

Read All

Videos

Nursing Home Negligence:

View All

Contractures in the Nursing Home Environment

Residents in nursing homes are usually elderly and very frail, factors that limit both their mobility and range of motion. Muscle atrophy, brittle bones, and various medical conditions often prevent them from obtaining the physical exercise they need. The lack of nursing home resident movements can result in increased stiffness and degeneration of the joints. It can also lead to contractures as the hands, arms, feet or legs slowly pull toward the body and become stiff.

What are Contractures?
Contractures are essentially medical conditions whereby joints are held in a fixed position. This often occurs when the tendon or muscle is shortened due to stress or uncontrolled muscle movement. These conditions most commonly form in the hands, arms, feet and legs. Older residents and patients with limited mobility are especially prone to contractures. Once these conditions have developed within an individual, there is typically little that can be done to rectify the issue other than an aggressive orthopedic surgical procedure. However, it is up to the nursing home to provide the physical therapy to residents who are at risk in order to keep their body flexible and avoid elder abuse.

A patient who has developed these conditions is at a significantly greater risk for bed sores due to their limited ability to move with or without assistance from staff. The rigidity that has been known to accompany contractures typically renders the positioning techniques commonly utilized to prevent bed sores ineffective. In most cases, the less mobility a patient has, the higher risk they have for developing bed sores.

Preventive and Treatment Techniques
Here are just three of the many treatments and methods nursing homes should apply to residents who are vulnerable to developing contractures:

• Positioning - Ensure that residents are properly positioned in their beds, chairs or wheelchairs. Modifications such as additional cushions, chair trays, or head rests may be needed to assure proper positioning for beds or wheelchairs. Positioning evaluations are often required to make sure the necessary measures are being taken for the utmost comfort and mobility of the patient.
• Splinting - Specially made boots, pads, wrist cushions and other splinting devices are often used to help prevent residents from developing contractures in the hands and feet. Orthopedic supports are also needed as they are designed to treat and even prevent stiffness caused by immobility. The most common of these supports are fitted knee and elbow braces, both of which enable a range of motion while keeping the muscles from contracting and freezing.
• Exercise - Proper exercise is crucial because it can help prevent and reduce contractures. There are many techniques that can be performed but range of motion exercises are among the most important. In the nursing home environment, it is the staff's responsibility to help residents exercise their joints since most are unable to do so on their own.

If you feel that nursing home neglect has resulted in the contractures suffered by a loved one, give us a call at 1-877-405-4313 or complete our free and confidential case evaluation form. Our experienced team of nursing home abuse attorneys will provide you with a free consultation to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding the care your loved one is receiving.

RASANSKY LAW FIRM
2525 McKinnon Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
CALL US AT
1-877-405-4313

How Can We Help You?

Need an Attorney?

Follow Us on:

Results

• Success Stories
• What Our Clients Say
• Awards
• In The Media