PREVENTING CONTRACTURE
02/14/2026
In addition to daily range of motion exercise, you can try the following to help reduce contracture. The body should sit more normally and avoid deformation.
Use foot drop prevention boots
Many quadriplegics use Foot Drop Prevention Boots. Not only do they help preserve the foot's capability of sitting flat, but they can prevent foot supination where your foot turns in. They also keep heels from touching the bed at night, which can cause pressure sores. Rigid plastic on the exterior and padded on the inside, there is usually a cavity under the heel to keep it floating.
Use hand splints
You can use hand splints at night to protect wrists from permanent “wrist drop” as well as to keep fists from clenching and fingers from curling in. They can help reduce hand deformity and joint contractures. Make sure your braces have finger separators and multiple strap closures for a stay-put fit. Some lower level quadriplegics prefer to let their fingers curl, however, because it lets the hand function to pick things up. Known as the tenodesis effect, wrist extension causes finger flexion (grasping), allowing individuals with C6-7 injuries to hold objects, even if the fingers don't actively curl.
Try Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
An FES bike is a stationary bike which helps you to do the motion of pedaling. FES bikes improve circulation and even build muscle mass which can help with atrophy (shrinking of muscle) that occurs with immobility. Functional Electrical Stimulation uses computer generated, low-level electrical pulses transmitted through surface electrodes to the muscles. This causes coordinated contractions. These bikes are very expensive and not typically covered by insurance, but some are accessible in health clubs and rehab clinics.
“I finally bought an FES bike and it has started to improve the muscle in my calves. I’d recommend the bike because it can make your shrunken legs look more natural.” Joey, C4
Stand up
Evidence strongly suggests that standing up from time to time has great benefits on health, from increasing bone health to decreasing risk of blood clots and even improving digestion. Insurance won’t typically pay for standing frames and standing chairs but you can have your physician argue for the health benefits of the devices and you might get lucky. Adaptive gyms and spine institutes typically have standing frames you may be afforded the opportunity to try.