Volkmann's contracture

Volkmann's contrature, also known as Volkmann's ischaemic contracture, is a permanent flexion contracture of the hand at the wrist, resulting in a claw-like deformity of the hand and fingers. It is named after Dr. Richard von Volkmann (1830 - 1889), the 19th century German doctor who first described it, in a paper on "non-Infective Ischemic conditions of various fascial compartments in the extremities ".

Volkmann's contracture results from ischaemia of the muscles of the forearm . It is caused by pressure, possibly from improper use of a tourniquet, improper use of a plaster cast or from compartment syndrome.