What is Volkmann ischemia?
Volkmann contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. The condition is also called Volkmann ischemic contracture.
What causes Volkmann’s ischemic contracture?
A Volkmann’s contracture is deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist which occurs as a result of a trauma such as fractures, crush injuries, burns and arterial injuries.
How is Volkmann contracture treated?
Treatment
- For mild contracture, muscle stretching exercises and splinting the affected fingers may be done.
- For moderate contracture, surgery is done to repair the muscles, tendons, and nerves.
- For severe contracture, surgery is done to remove muscles, tendons, or nerves that are thickened, scarred, or dead.
What is the earliest indication of Volkmann’s ischemia?
The clinical presentation of Volkmann contracture includes what is commonly referred to as the five Ps: pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesias, and paralysis. Of these, pain is the earliest sign.
What is your lower arm called?
Overall, the forearm comprises the lower half of the arm. It extends from the elbow joint to the hand, and it is made up of the ulna and radius bones. These two long bones form a rotational joint, allowing the forearm to turn so that the palm of the hand faces up or down.
What happens if acute compartment syndrome is not treated?
Acute compartment syndrome is usually caused by a bad injury and is a medical emergency. Without treatment, acute compartment syndrome can permanently damage muscles. It can also lead to disability, paralysis or even death. Chronic compartment syndrome usually isn’t an emergency.
What is muscle contracture?
A contracture occurs when your muscles, tendons, joints, or other tissues tighten or shorten causing a deformity. Contracture symptoms include pain and loss of movement in the joint. If this occurs, you should seek treatment right away.
Is Volkmann’s ischemic contracture reversible?
Volkmann’s contracture is a permanent flexion contracture of the hand at the wrist, resulting in a claw-like deformity of the hand and fingers. Passive extension of fingers is restricted and painful….
| Volkmann’s contracture | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture |
| Specialty | Orthopaedics |
What are ischemic contractures?
Volkmann contracture (or Volkmann ischemic contracture) is a permanent shortening (contracture) of forearm muscles, usually resulting from injury, that gives rise to a clawlike deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist. It is more common in children. A similar condition can occur in the foot.
What are the 2 bones in your forearm called?
Your arm is made up of three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus) and two forearm bones (the ulna and the radius).
What are the two main bones in your forearm?
Your forearm is made up of two bones: the radius and ulna. In most cases of adult forearm fractures, both bones are broken. Fractures of the forearm can occur near the wrist at the farthest (distal) end of the bone, in the middle of the forearm, or near the elbow at the top (proximal) end of the bone.