Joint contractures are rather a consequence of events prior to the amputation and are not a complication of prosthesis use (Blair, Clowers & Stolov, 1981). Failure to recognize that the uninvolved joints must have range of motion exercises to preserve their mobility can also result in contractures (Blair, Clowers & Stolov, 1981). Contractures at the shoulder or elbow will interfere with operation of the prosthesis in the upper extremity (Blair, Clowers & Stolov, 1981). Physical therapeutic exercises can reverse contractures in most cases (Blair, Clowers & Stolov, 1981).
