Final answer:
A contracture is the permanent and painful shortening of a muscle due to prolonged immobility or muscle spasticity. It is different from range of motion, a footboard, or pressure ulcers. Prevention includes physical therapy, splints, or surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
A contracture is the permanent and painful shortening of a muscle. This condition can arise when there's prolonged immobility or due to muscle spasticity resulting from various neurological disorders. Unlike range of motion, which is the full movement potential of a joint, or a footboard, which is a piece of medical equipment, a contracture is a pathological state of the skeletal muscle. The term does not refer to normal muscle function like muscle contraction, which is simply the tensing of a muscle, nor does it refer to conditions such as pressure ulcers (bedsores), which are skin injuries caused by prolonged pressure on the skin.
Preventing contractures often involves physical therapy, use of splints or orthopedic devices, and in some cases, surgery. Understanding what contractures are is critical for healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients to ensure they take the necessary precautions and treatments to avoid the complications associated with this debilitating condition.
(A) Range of motion refers to the extent of movement that a joint or a combination of joints can move.
(C) Pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, resulting from pressure or pressure in combination with shear.
(D) Footboard is a device used to maintain the feet in a dorsiflexed position to prevent footdrop, which is not directly related to the permanent shortening of a muscle.