Contracture

The Contracture theme makes fundamental contributions to the understanding of mechanisms and treatment of contracture. Contracture is the stiffening of muscles that is commonly seen in a range of health conditions, including stroke and head injury, orthopaedic conditions and cerebral palsy. Contractures impede joint movement and can be seriously disabling.

Research conducted under the Contracture theme includes laboratory research designed to understand the nature of contracture, as well as clinical research designed to clarify the prevalence and incidence of contracture in different populations, and test and develop strategies to prevent and treat contractures.

The Contracture theme is co-ordinated by Assoc Prof Rob Herbert.

Contracture after Spinal Cord Injury - A Prospective Cohort Study

The aims of this study are to describe the time course of contracture and investigate factors that might predict contracture in people with spinal cord injury.

Contractures after Stroke: Incidence and prognostic factors

The aims of this study are to provide the first rigorous investigation into the incidence of contractures in a representative stroke cohort, and to identify prognostic risk factors in predicting 3 joint contractures (elbow, wrist and ankle) in the stroke population.