PTEACS Physical Therapy Exam 1 Practice

Shortening or tightening of tissues that restrict movement is called a contracture. When soft tissues such as skin, fascia, or joint capsules lose length and elasticity—often after immobilization, scarring, burns, or edema—their ability to stretch is reduced, leading to limited range of motion and potential joint deformity if not addressed. This is why you see persistent stiffness and resistance to passive movement in areas affected by prolonged inactivity or scar formation, and why therapies focus on gradual stretching and scar management. The other terms describe different problems: ischemia is reduced blood supply that can damage tissue; maceration is softening of tissue from prolonged moisture; and seclusion is not a tissue-length issue and isn’t used to describe movement restriction.