Immobilisaation

Immobilisation, or immobilization, is the process of restricting movement of all or part of the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and protect injured tissues. It is a common medical approach after fractures, sprains, dislocations, and certain surgical procedures. By limiting motion, immobilisation helps maintain alignment and minimizes stress on damaged structures.

Methods vary by location and injury. External immobilisation includes casts made of plaster or fiberglass, splints, braces, and slings. Internal immobilisation uses surgical hardware such as pins, screws, plates, or rods to hold bones in place. Traction may be employed to gradually align fragments before definitive fixation. External fixators immobilize via pins placed outside the body. The chosen method depends on injury type, patient age, and healing goals, and periods can range from a few days to several weeks or months.

Common complications of immobilisation include skin breakdown under cast or braces, pressure sores, nerve compression, joint stiffness, muscle atrophy, and bone demineralisation. Prolonged immobility increases the risk of venous thromboembolism in some patients. Therefore, regular monitoring, skin care, and timely rehabilitation are important, and immobilisation is typically followed by gradual mobilization and physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength.

In addition to medical use, immobilisation also appears in biotechnology, where enzymes or cells are anchored to solid supports to enhance stability and enable reuse.

Historically, casts using plaster of Paris were standard; today, synthetic materials such as fiberglass are common, offering lighter weight and better durability.