Burn scar contracture: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name                    = Burn scar contracture
| image                  = [[File:Complications_of_Hypertrophic_Scarring.png|250px]]
| caption                = Complications of hypertrophic scarring
| field                  = [[Plastic surgery]], [[Dermatology]]
| synonyms                = Scar contracture
| symptoms                = [[Tightness]] of skin, [[restricted movement]], [[pain]]
| complications          = [[Functional impairment]], [[cosmetic issues]]
| onset                  = After [[burn injury]]
| duration                = [[Chronic]]
| causes                  = [[Burns]], [[trauma]]
| risks                  = [[Infection]], [[poor wound healing]]
| diagnosis              = [[Physical examination]], [[medical history]]
| differential            = [[Hypertrophic scar]], [[keloid]]
| prevention              = [[Proper wound care]], [[physical therapy]]
| treatment              = [[Surgery]], [[physical therapy]], [[compression garments]]
| prognosis              = Varies, can improve with treatment
| frequency              = Common in severe burn cases
}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2010}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2010}}
'''Burn scar contracture''' is the tightening of the skin after a [[partial thickness burn|second]] or [[full thickness burn|third degree burn]]. When skin is burned, the surrounding skin begins to pull together, resulting in a contracture. It needs to be treated as soon as possible because the [[scar]] can result in restriction of movement around the injured area. This is mediated by myofibroblasts.
'''Burn scar contracture''' is the tightening of the skin after a [[partial thickness burn|second]] or [[full thickness burn|third degree burn]]. When skin is burned, the surrounding skin begins to pull together, resulting in a contracture. It needs to be treated as soon as possible because the [[scar]] can result in restriction of movement around the injured area. This is mediated by myofibroblasts.
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==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Burn scar contractures do not go away on their own, although may improve with the passage of time, with occupational therapy and [[physiotherapy]], and with [[splint (medicine)|splinting]]. If persistent  the person may need the contracture to be surgically released. Techniques may include local skin [[flap (surgery)|flaps]] (z-plasty) or skin [[grafting]] (full thickness or split thickness). There are also pharmacy and drug-store treatments that can be used to help scar maturation, especially silicone gel treatments. Prevention of contracture formation is key.  For instance, in the case of a burned hand one would splint the hand and wrap each finger individually.  In the instance of burns on the neck, hyperextension of the neck (i.e. no use of pillows) should be maintained during the healing process. Carbon dioxide laser therapy is now also used to aid in the loosening of surrounding skin, although is yet to form as part of an official global rehabilitation program.
Burn scar contractures do not go away on their own, although may improve with the passage of time, with occupational therapy and [[physiotherapy]], and with [[splint (medicine)|splinting]]. If persistent  the person may need the contracture to be surgically released. Techniques may include local skin [[flap (surgery)|flaps]] (z-plasty) or skin [[grafting]] (full thickness or split thickness). There are also pharmacy and drug-store treatments that can be used to help scar maturation, especially silicone gel treatments. Prevention of contracture formation is key.  For instance, in the case of a burned hand one would splint the hand and wrap each finger individually.  In the instance of burns on the neck, hyperextension of the neck (i.e. no use of pillows) should be maintained during the healing process. Carbon dioxide laser therapy is now also used to aid in the loosening of surrounding skin, although is yet to form as part of an official global rehabilitation program.
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
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2018;26:9-14.</ref>
2018;26:9-14.</ref>
{{Cutaneous-condition-stub}}
{{Cutaneous-condition-stub}}
{{dictionary-stub1}}
== Burn Scar Contracture ==
<gallery>
File:Complications_of_Hypertrophic_Scarring.png|Complications of Hypertrophic Scarring
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 19:43, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Burn scar contracture
Synonyms Scar contracture
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Tightness of skin, restricted movement, pain
Complications Functional impairment, cosmetic issues
Onset After burn injury
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Burns, trauma
Risks Infection, poor wound healing
Diagnosis Physical examination, medical history
Differential diagnosis Hypertrophic scar, keloid
Prevention Proper wound care, physical therapy
Treatment Surgery, physical therapy, compression garments
Medication N/A
Prognosis Varies, can improve with treatment
Frequency Common in severe burn cases
Deaths N/A


Burn scar contracture is the tightening of the skin after a second or third degree burn. When skin is burned, the surrounding skin begins to pull together, resulting in a contracture. It needs to be treated as soon as possible because the scar can result in restriction of movement around the injured area. This is mediated by myofibroblasts.

Diagnosis[edit]

Treatment[edit]

Burn scar contractures do not go away on their own, although may improve with the passage of time, with occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and with splinting. If persistent the person may need the contracture to be surgically released. Techniques may include local skin flaps (z-plasty) or skin grafting (full thickness or split thickness). There are also pharmacy and drug-store treatments that can be used to help scar maturation, especially silicone gel treatments. Prevention of contracture formation is key. For instance, in the case of a burned hand one would splint the hand and wrap each finger individually. In the instance of burns on the neck, hyperextension of the neck (i.e. no use of pillows) should be maintained during the healing process. Carbon dioxide laser therapy is now also used to aid in the loosening of surrounding skin, although is yet to form as part of an official global rehabilitation program.

References[edit]

<references group="" responsive="1"></references>


<ref>Hariharan N C, Sridhar R, Sankari B, Valarmathy VS, Asirvatham E, Geetha K. "Reconstruction of postburn crippled hands: A study of functional outcome" Indian J Burns 2018;26:9-14.</ref>

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