The prevalence of joint contractures in residents in NHS continuing care.

A group of 222 residents in NHS continuing care were studied in order to assess the prevalence of joint contractures in the very disabled elderly and to establish whether there was an association between the presence of contractures and functional ability; 121 (55%) had at least one contracted joint. There was no clear linear relationship between length of stay in continuing care and the presence of contractures. Those with upper limb contractures were nearly twice as likely to be unable to feed themselves as those without contractures (p < 0.0001). The presence of at least one lower limb contracture was significantly associated with reduced mobility (p < 0.0001). An association was also demonstrated between the presence of lower limb contractures and frequency with which the patient walked. The role of disease and immobility in the development of contractures is discussed as well as the potential for the prevention and treatment of contractures.