Tightness vs. Contracture — What's the Difference?

Affording little spare time; full

In pathology, a contracture is a permanent shortening of a muscle or joint. It is usually in response to prolonged hypertonic spasticity in a concentrated muscle area, such as is seen in the tightest muscles of people with conditions like spastic cerebral palsy, but can also be due to congenital abnormal development of muscles and connective tissue in the womb.

Fixed or fastened firmly in place

An abnormal, often permanent shortening, as of muscle or scar tissue, that results in distortion or deformity, especially of a joint of the body.

Stretched or drawn out fully

A deformity resulting from a contracture.

Of such close construction as to be impermeable

(medicine) An abnormal, sometimes permanent, contraction of a muscle or skin; a deformity so caused.

Leaving little empty space through compression; compact

A state of permanent rigidity or contraction of the muscles, generally of the flexor muscles.

Closely reasoned or concise

An abnormal and usually permanent contraction of a muscle

Fitting close or too close to the skin; snug

(Slang) Personally close; intimate

Experiencing a feeling of constriction

Reluctant to spend or give; stingy.

Obtainable with difficulty or only at a high price

Affected by scarcity

Difficult to deal with or get out of

Barely profitable

Closely contested; close

Chiefly British Neat and trim in appearance or arrangement.

Marked by full control over elements or subordinates; firm

(Slang) Intoxicated; drunk.

(Baseball) Inside.

Firmly; securely.

Soundly

Snugly or with constriction

The quality or degree of being tight

The quality or condition of being tight.

A state occasioned by scarcity of money and a shortage of credit

Extreme stinginess

Lack of movement or room for movement