Contractures are a condition in which a joint loses mobility. They are usually a sign of disability or distress.  fall detection This can result in considerable pain and discomfort. Some types of contractures can affect the legs and hands. In addition, they can interfere with the daily activities of living.These types of deformities may be associated with other medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and stroke. The condition is particularly prevalent in elderly individuals, and it is often multifactorial.The relationship between the severity of a patient's dementia and the presence of contractures has been studied.  falls detector watch It has been found that all but one patient with severe-stage AD had contractures.The degree of loss of mobility in patients with Alzheimer disease has been measured by the Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) scale. A goniometer is another tool that can be used to determine the extent of contractures. personal emergency response system The increase in contractures and the degree of functional decline correlated closely with the progression of AD. All but three of the 39 patients with contractures had moderately severe cognitive impairment. There were also seven patients with hip fracture.A total of 32 patients with contractures were in nursing homes. Of these, eight had contracted the hands, and six had contracted the knees. Although the relationship between the frequency of contractures and functional impairment has not been proven, it is possible that the frequency of contractures may serve as a measure of the quality of care that the patient received.