Volkmann’s Contracture
Emily Matherne
12/12/15
A Volkmann’s contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. Another commonly used name is Ischemic Contracture. This deformity happens when there is a lack of blood flow to the forearm, which occurs when there is an increased pressure due to swelling causing a condition called compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome can cause a Volkmann’s contracture. Injury to the arm, including a crash injury or fracture, leads to swelling that presses on blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the arm. When a person has prolonged blood flow it injures the nerves and muscles, causing them to become stiff and shortened. The muscle shortens …show more content…
If the pressure continues, there will be decreased sensation in the arm, paleness of the skin, and weakness in the forearm. Some signs of Volkmann’s in the arm are an appearance that is characterized by a fixed position of elbow flexion, forearm pronation, wrist flexion, MP extension, IP flexion, and thumb adduction. Many patients have sensory deficits, motor weakness and/or paralysis, an absence of radial and ulnar pulses at the wrist, and severe palsy in the distribution of the median nerve and ulnar …show more content…
The first sign of a Volkmann’s contracture is when the patient presents compartment syndrome in the forearm. They will demonstrate severe pain when the doctor moves the fingers up and down. Secondly, the forearm may also be very swollen and shiny, and the patient may incur pain when the forearm is squeezed. The diagnosis can be confirmed with a test that directly measures pressure in the area of the forearm demonstrating these symptoms. The test involves inserting a needle into the affected area. The needle is attached to a pressure meter, where a specific level confirms the diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Some other diagnostic tests are measuring the intra-compartmental tissue fluid pressure, removal of the constricting splint, dressing, or cast, and surgical intervention for those whose symptoms do not resolve
Emily Matherne
12/12/15
A Volkmann’s contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. Another commonly used name is Ischemic Contracture. This deformity happens when there is a lack of blood flow to the forearm, which occurs when there is an increased pressure due to swelling causing a condition called compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome can cause a Volkmann’s contracture. Injury to the arm, including a crash injury or fracture, leads to swelling that presses on blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the arm. When a person has prolonged blood flow it injures the nerves and muscles, causing them to become stiff and shortened. The muscle shortens …show more content…
If the pressure continues, there will be decreased sensation in the arm, paleness of the skin, and weakness in the forearm. Some signs of Volkmann’s in the arm are an appearance that is characterized by a fixed position of elbow flexion, forearm pronation, wrist flexion, MP extension, IP flexion, and thumb adduction. Many patients have sensory deficits, motor weakness and/or paralysis, an absence of radial and ulnar pulses at the wrist, and severe palsy in the distribution of the median nerve and ulnar …show more content…
The first sign of a Volkmann’s contracture is when the patient presents compartment syndrome in the forearm. They will demonstrate severe pain when the doctor moves the fingers up and down. Secondly, the forearm may also be very swollen and shiny, and the patient may incur pain when the forearm is squeezed. The diagnosis can be confirmed with a test that directly measures pressure in the area of the forearm demonstrating these symptoms. The test involves inserting a needle into the affected area. The needle is attached to a pressure meter, where a specific level confirms the diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Some other diagnostic tests are measuring the intra-compartmental tissue fluid pressure, removal of the constricting splint, dressing, or cast, and surgical intervention for those whose symptoms do not resolve