Volkmann's contracture

Volkmann's contracture

Infobox_Disease
Name = PAGENAME


Caption =
DiseasesDB = 13991
ICD10 = ICD10|T|79|6|t|79
ICD9 =
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus = 001221
eMedicineSubj = orthoped
eMedicineTopic = 578
MeshName = Volkmann+Contracture
MeshNumber = C05.651.180

Volkmann's contracture, also known as Volkmann's ischaemic contracture, is a permanent flexion contracture of the hand at the wrist, resulting in a claw-like deformity of the hand and fingers.

History

It is named after Dr. Richard von Volkmann (1830 - 1889), the 19th century German doctor who first described it, in a paper on "non-Infective Ischemic conditions of various fascial compartments in the extremities". [WhoNamedIt|synd|2865]

Causes

Volkmann's contracture results from acute ischaemia of the muscles of the forearm. It is caused by pressure on the brachial artery, possibly from improper use of a tourniquet, improper use of a plaster cast or from compartmental syndrome. It is commonly described in supracondylar fracture of the humerus where it results in injury/occlusion of the brachial artery.

Fibrosis and contracture of the flexor compartment pulls the fingers into flexion and the wrist into flexion and pronation. However, active extension of the fingers is possible when the wrist is passively flexed indicating that the contracture is in the forearm. Damage to the median nerve may result. [ [Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/volkmanns_contracture] ]

Treatment

Surgery to release the fixed tissues may help with the deformity and function of the hand.

References

External links

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Volkmann's contracture — or Volkmann contracture n ischemic contracture of an extremity and esp. of a hand * * * fibrosis and shortening of muscles due to inadequate blood supply. It is a complication that arises if the blood supply is interrupted by pressure on the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Volkmann's contracture — fibrosis and shortening of muscles due to inadequate blood supply, which may arise from arterial injuries or compartment syndrome. Sites most commonly involved are the forearm, hand, leg, and foot and the condition may result in clawing of the… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Volkmann — may refer to: *A.W. Volkmann German physiologist *Elisabeth Volkmann German actress *Richard von Volkmann German surgeon *Volkmann s contracture Disease causing stiffness of the hand *Volkmann s canals Microscopic structures in animal bone …   Wikipedia

  • Volkmann's paralysis — n paralysis (as of the muscles of the hand) associated with Volkmann s contracture …   Medical dictionary

  • Contracture — This article refers to orthopedic contractures; for other types of contractures see the See Also section below. Contracture Classification and external resources ICD 10 M24.5, M62.4, M67.1, M72.0, T …   Wikipedia

  • contracture — Static muscle shortening due to tonic spasm or fibrosis, to loss of muscular balance, the antagonists being paralyzed or to a loss of motion of the adjacent joint. [L. contractura, fr. con traho, to draw together] Dupuytren c. a disease of the… …   Medical dictionary

  • contracture — n. fibrosis of skeletal muscle or connective tissue producing shortening and resulting in deformity of a joint. See also: Dupuytren s contracture, Volkmann s contracture …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Volkmann contracture — contracture of the fingers and sometimes the wrist after severe injury in or near the elbow or improper use of a tourniquet interferes with the blood supply to the muscles. A similar phenomenon may develop in the lower leg and foot after similar… …   Medical dictionary

  • Volkmann contracture (ischemic paralysis syndrome) etc. — Volk·mann contracture (ischemic paralysis, syndrome), etc. (fōkґmahn) [Richard von Volkmann, German surgeon, 1830–1889] see under contracture, disease, paralysis, and spoon …   Medical dictionary

  • Volkmann — Alfred W., German physiologist, 1800–1877. See V. canals, under canal. Richard, German surgeon, 1830–1889. See V. cheilitis, V. contracture, V. spoon …   Medical dictionary

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