Topical agents and dressings

Use adequate topical agents and wound dressings to establish a moist wound healing environment. This is especially important for superficial partial thickness burns.

Debridement

Debride necrotic tissue adequately, either by mechanical debridement or surgical debridement. This is especially important for deep dermal burns.

Infection control

Reduce the risk of infection through infection prevention and control, and daily dressing and cleaning of the wound.

Granulation Prevention

Prevent the formation of granulation tissue and manage hypergranulation adequately.

Wound closure

Close wounds in a timely manner and perform surgery (often excision and skin grafting) when indicated. This is especially important for deep dermal partial thickness burns and full thickness burns.

The main factors influencing the timing of surgery are size and depth of the wound. Early excision, within a few days post-burn (up to a maximum of 10 days post-burn), is preferable to delayed excision for deep dermal burn wounds. For deep partial thickness burns, it is acceptable to wait two or three weeks until spontaneous healing has occurred.

UV protection

A scar in the maturation phase is prone to sunburn, and high levels of UV radiation can increase the amount of the dark pigment melanin. Advise the patient to avoid sun exposure and to use sunscreen at regular time intervals, preferably SPF 50+, until the end of the maturation phase, up to two years after the burn injury. If sunscreen is not available, for example in resource-limited settings, advise the patient to limit the exposure of burned areas to direct sunlight by using an umbrella, covering the scar with clothing, or wearing a cap.

Moisturizers

It can be beneficial to hydrate the scar – hydration can prevent or treat pruritus, normalize scar size and reduce pain. Patients can use any kind of moisturizer, such as body lotion, and choose the product they prefer. However, they should avoid using topical corticosteroids.

Stretching and mobilization

To attain and maintain ROM and help lengthen the scar, you should start stretching and mobilization as early as possible. In particular, if you have chosen delayed grafting, it is vital to start mobilization while waiting to begin grafting.

There are three types of mobilization: active, active assisted, and passive. 

Active mobilization – the patient moves the antagonistic muscle group of the extremity. This can start as soon as the skin graft allows, usually a minimum of one week after surgery. 

Active assisted mobilization – the patient moves the affected extremity, and uses the other hand to assist movement to maximize the ROM.

Passive mobilization – the physiotherapist moves the affected extremity when the patient is in a relaxed state.

Anti-contracture positioning

After a burn injury, the burned body part will move into the most comfortable position by following the path of least resistance. This is usually a flexed position in the direction of the core, hence flexion contractures occur most often. Anti-contracture positioning counteracts this flexing tendency.

You should start anti-contracture positioning as early as possible in the rehabilitation program.

There are several common anti-contracture positions. It is possible to achieve this positioning actively or passively. Active positioning requires a highly motivated and consistently cooperative patient; passive positioning involves the use of splints. Note that it is important to follow the positioning regime during most of the day, except during exercise.

Splinting

The most important indications for splinting during burn rehabilitation are tissue and skin graft protection, joint positioning, and tissue lengthening. Using splints forces the tissue to lengthen in a controlled state, and to follow the desired anatomical contour.

Splinting is not an alternative way to prevent contractures for skin grafting in large deep and full thickness burns.

Splinting without an exercise regime could still lead to contracture development.

In the early stages, the patient should be splinted day and night. When you have achieved the desired range of motion (ROM), you can gradually reduce the frequency of splinting.

There are two types of splints: static and dynamic splints.

Static splints immobilize the joint and should be worn during the night. However, the effect of mechanical tension on the wound during the healing process suggests that static splinting may counteract its own purpose by stimulating myofibroblast activity. Therefore, you must be alert and monitor scar development continuously.

Dynamic splints position the joint but allow mobilization against resistance and should be worn during the day, except when exercising.