Understand Contracture, also known as Joint Contracture or Flexion Contracture, with this guide for healthcare professionals. Learn about clinical documentation, medical coding, diagnosis, and treatment of Contractures. Find information on Contracture types, causes, symptoms, and management strategies. Improve your understanding of this condition for accurate and efficient healthcare practice.
Also known as
Contractures of joint
Specifies the affected joint with contracture.
Contracture of muscle
Indicates a muscle contracture, not necessarily joint related.
Other orthopedic aftercare
For aftercare following treatment of contracture, including physical therapy.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the contracture due to a burn?
Yes
Current burn injury?
No
Is it due to a prior injury/fracture?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Stiffness and shortening of muscles or tendons, limiting joint movement. |
| Involuntary, sustained muscle contractions causing stiffness and pain. |
| Joint stiffness and immobility due to bone fusion or joint destruction. |
Coding requires specifying right, left, or bilateral for accurate reimbursement and data analysis. Unspecified laterality can lead to claim denials.
Contractures often have underlying conditions. Failing to document the etiology can hinder accurate severity assessment and coding.
Documenting the specific joint and type of contracture (e.g., flexion, extension) is crucial for proper code assignment and avoids generic coding.
Q: What are the most effective evidence-based interventions for preventing flexion contractures in neurologically impaired patients?
A: Preventing flexion contractures in neurologically impaired patients requires a multifaceted approach grounded in evidence-based practice. Regular range-of-motion exercises, including passive stretching and active assisted movements, are crucial. Splinting and serial casting can maintain joint alignment and prevent further contracture development, especially in patients with spasticity. Consider implementing early mobilization protocols and incorporating functional electrical stimulation to promote muscle activation and prevent atrophy. Additionally, optimizing patient positioning and ensuring proper wheelchair seating can minimize pressure areas and reduce the risk of contractures. Explore how incorporating these strategies can improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Q: How can I differentiate between a joint contracture and muscle spasticity during a physical exam, and what are the key clinical indicators to look for?
A: Differentiating between joint contracture and muscle spasticity requires careful assessment during the physical exam. A contracture presents as a fixed resistance to passive movement at a joint due to changes in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or skin. Spasticity, on the other hand, is velocity-dependent resistance to passive stretch, often characterized by a "clasp-knife" phenomenon. Key clinical indicators for contracture include a limited range of motion that doesn't change with speed of movement, palpable tightness in the affected tissues, and potential joint deformity. Spasticity, however, exhibits increased resistance with faster stretching, exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, and clonus. Accurate differentiation is crucial for tailoring appropriate interventions. Learn more about the specific assessment techniques for each condition to enhance your diagnostic accuracy.
Patient presents with a contracture, clinically significant limitations in joint range of motion. Assessment reveals reduced joint mobility and flexibility, consistent with a diagnosis of joint contracture. The patient reports restricted movement and stiffness in the affected joint(s), impacting activities of daily living (ADLs). Differential diagnosis considered muscle tightness, spasticity, and arthrofibrosis. Examination findings include decreased passive range of motion, palpable taut soft tissues, and potential joint deformity. Severity of the contracture is documented using goniometry, measuring the joint angle limitation. Etiology may be related to immobilization, trauma, neurological conditions, burns, or genetic predisposition. The patient's medical history, including any prior surgeries, injuries, or underlying medical conditions, is relevant to understanding the contracture development. Treatment plan may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, stretching exercises, splinting or bracing, medication management for pain and inflammation, and in severe cases, surgical intervention such as contracture release. Patient education focuses on proper joint care, exercise techniques, and adherence to the prescribed treatment plan. Follow-up care includes monitoring range of motion improvements, functional status, and pain levels. ICD-10 coding for the specific type and location of the contracture will be applied, along with appropriate CPT codes for procedures and therapies rendered. Prognosis for contracture improvement depends on the underlying cause, severity, and patient adherence to treatment.