In knee hemarthrosis with immobilization, which action would promote a contracture?

In knee hemarthrosis with immobilization, which action would promote a contracture?

• A. Active assist ROM
• B. Continuous immobilization of knee in extension
• C. Weight bearing to tolerance
• D. Resistive ROM

Answer: (B)

Prolonged immobilization allows periarticular tissues to adapt to the position held, leading to a contracture as collagen reorganizes and soft tissues shorten. If the knee is kept continuously in extension, the structures that limit flexion adapt to that extended position, making it harder to regain full flexion later. This sets up a knee contracture. Moving the joint helps maintain tissue length and mobility—active-assisted ROM and resistive ROM keep the muscles and connective tissues from shortening, while gradual loading through weight bearing supports tissue health without promoting stiffness. Thus, the action most likely to promote a contracture is continuous immobilization of the knee in extension.

Prolonged immobilization allows periarticular tissues to adapt to the position held, leading to a contracture as collagen reorganizes and soft tissues shorten. If the knee is kept continuously in extension, the structures that limit flexion adapt to that extended position, making it harder to regain full flexion later. This sets up a knee contracture.

Moving the joint helps maintain tissue length and mobility—active-assisted ROM and resistive ROM keep the muscles and connective tissues from shortening, while gradual loading through weight bearing supports tissue health without promoting stiffness. Thus, the action most likely to promote a contracture is continuous immobilization of the knee in extension.