Joint contractures in the intensive care unit: association with resource utilization and ambulatory status at discharge

Abstract

The median delay of 7 days before musculoskeletal assessment in the ICU together with failure to assess 26% of patients may have allowed the development of contractures, which affected the patients' ambulatory status at discharge from hospital.

Examining Functioning and Contextual Factors in Individuals with Joint Contractures from the Health Professional Perspective Using the ICF: An International Internet-Based Qualitative Expert Survey

“…The chapter “mobility (d4)” in the ICF component Activities and Participation, specifically the category “walking (d450),” was mentioned by several experts. This finding is confirmed by studies that report a high correlation between joint contractures and impaired mobility (Clavet, Hebert, Fergusson, Doucette, & Trudel, , ; Katalinic et al., ; Selikson, Damus, & Hamerman, ; Souren et al., ). Categories from the chapter “self‐care (d5)” like “washing (d510),” “dressing (d540),” and “eating (d550)” are also frequently mentioned.…”

Patients’ view on health-related aspects of functioning and disability of joint contractures: a qualitative interview study based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

“…muscle power, control of voluntary movement and gait pattern), emotional functions and motivation were relevant. It is commonly recognized in the literature that joint contractures have a considerable impact on movement-related functions [19][20][21]. However, these functions can be both the trigger and the cause of joint contractures and their immediate consequence [20,22,23].…”

Contractures with special reference in elderly: definition and risk factors – a systematic review with practical implications

“…This indicates that contracture may not be part of a normal aging process but rather reflect a pathogenetic process that insofar may be susceptible to intervention. Mounting evidence from experimental [31] and clinical studies [19,32] suggest that immobility or even inactivity may be a prime causal candidate in the course of the development of contractures. The pathophysiological effects of immobilization are complex and far reaching.…”