immobilize

Immobilize is a verb meaning to render something immovable or unable to move. As a noun, immobilization refers to the act or process of making something immobile. The term is used across fields such as medicine, biology, and engineering, and the specific method depends on the objective and context.

In medical care, immobilization is used to stabilize injuries such as fractures, sprains, and dislocations, in order to maintain proper alignment and reduce pain. Common methods include plaster or fiberglass casts, removable braces or splints, slings, and traction devices. The duration of immobilization varies with the injury, patient age, and healing rate, and is periodically reassessed to prevent complications such as stiffness, muscle atrophy, pressure sores, or joint contractures. Care instructions cover wound care, swelling management, hygiene, and activity restrictions, and removal is performed by a clinician when healing is sufficient.

In veterinary medicine, immobilization serves similar purposes for animals, including immobilizing limbs for transport or after surgery, with methods adapted for nonverbal patients.

In biochemistry and industrial biocatalysis, immobilized enzymes are enzymes attached to solid supports or encapsulated. Immobilization improves stability and allows reuse and continuous processing, but can reduce enzymatic activity due to mass-transfer limitations or altered microenvironments.

See also immobilization.