immobiliseimmobilization

Immobilisation or immobilization refers to the act of rendering a person, animal, object, or process unable to move or function normally. It is used across fields such as medicine, biology, chemistry, and engineering. The commonly used spellings reflect regional conventions: immobilise (British English) and immobilize (American English). Noun forms differ correspondingly: immobilisation and immobilization.

Origin: from Latin immobile “not movable.” In practice, immobilization often involves external supports, devices, or chemical or physical methods that restrict movement or activity.

In medicine, immobilization is applied to treat fractures, dislocations, or post-operative injuries. Methods include casts, splints, braces, traction, or fixation devices. The aim is to protect damaged tissues, reduce pain, and allow healing. Prolonged immobilization can cause stiffness, muscle atrophy, pressure ulcers, and venous thromboembolism, so care is taken to balance stability with mobility and to use gradual reintroduction of movement.

In laboratory sciences, immobilization refers to fixing enzymes, cells, or antibodies to solid supports to improve stability, enable repeated use, and simplify separation, as in immobilized enzymes or cell immobilization. In chemistry and materials science, catalysts or reagents may be immobilized on surfaces or matrices to enhance durability and recyclability.

In engineering and manufacturing, immobilization can refer to securing components during transport or maintenance, or to the deliberate restriction of movement in systems and safety protocols, such as immobilizing machinery during servicing.