Contractures are a common complication of neurological disability. They are undesirable for many reasons but in particular because they are unsightly and limit a person's ability to move and perform purposeful tasks. Even minor contractures can have profound implications for some patients. For example, a minor contracture around the elbow in a person with C6 tetraplegia can make the difference between a life of dependence and independence. Elbow contractures in these patients prevent them from lifting their body weight through their upper limbs, a prerequisite for transferring independently in and out of bed each day.