Pathologic Aspects of Muscle Contracture

Abstract

Contractures of muscle are a major cause of disability in muscular dystrophy of the Duchenne type and to a lesser degree in other neuromuscular disorders. Limitation of joint movement contributes to the patients disability because of the resultant aggravation of immobility. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) joint and muscle contractures develop as the disease progresses. The same applies for some other forms of muscular dystrophy. There is also a group of neuromuscular disorders where the joint contracture is present at birth, chief among these is arthrogryposis. In others, muscle contractures develop soon after birth and are among the first manifestations of the disorder, e.g. the Emery Dreifuss form of muscular dystrophy. Contractures are also common in the neurogenic diseases, notably SMA II, the chronic infantile form of Werdnig-Hoffman disease, and in the post polio syndrome. Contractures also occur in acquired myopathies such as polymyositis.