Acute Burn Physiotherapy Rehabilitation

Original Editor - Carin Hunter
Top Contributors - Carin Hunter and Naomi O'Reilly

Introduction 

Depending on the size and the severity of the injury this stage may last from a few days to a  few months (Procter 2010)

Patient

∙ Acute phase of inflammation

∙ Pain

∙ Oedema increasing for up to 36 hours post injury

∙ Hypermetabolic response, peaking at five days post injury

∙ Early synthesis and remodelling of collagen

Aims

• Reduce risk of complications
  • Reduce oedema, particularly where it poses a risk for
    • impinging on peripheral circulation or airways
    • Predisposition to contractures
• Prevent deformities/loss of range
• Protect/promote healing
• Maintain or improve chest condition

Common treatment techniques

1. Respiratory care
   • Chest clearance can be achieved by raising the head and chest region. Physiotherapy techniques such as deep breathing exercises, vibrations, percussion, postural drainage, coughing and suctioning can be employed to clear excess secretions. A soft material, preferably, foam can be used to pad the physiotherapist's hands if procedures requiring hand pressure are uncomfortable to the patient. However, if in the event that the patient sustains burn injuries on the chest with no concomitant respiratory involvement, percussions and vibrations should be avoided to prevent reinjury to already traumatised tissue.
2. Immobilisation
   • Bed rest  
   • Splinting
3. Positioning
   • Prevention of contractures and stiffness. Splinting and proper positioning will help achieve this aim. Also performing active or passive range of motion (ROM) exercises, depending on the patient's level of consciousness is crucial in the prevention of these complications. As a matter of importance, movement should be incorporated into the patient's daily routine from their inception to the hospital. Immobilisation is only allowed when a part of the body has just been grafted. Even then, the area must be kept in an anti-deformity position.
4. Prevention of Oedema
   1. which can be gained by elevating all affected limbs must also commence on the day of injury to prevent sites of burns from deepening.
5. Pain Control
   • is obtainable by performing therapies during wound dressing and debridement, if possible. Analgesics should also be administered prior to therapy sessions to encourage participation in movement activities. The physiotherapist can use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to enhance pain relief.
6. Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis
   • can be achieved by encouraging early ambulation.
7. Prevention of Pressure Sores

2. Immobilisation

Rationale for immobilisation in the acute stage it to prevent deformities, maintenance of range of motion and to promote healing by protecting the structures involved.

Immobilisation Post Skin Reconstruction Surgery

Stopping movement and function of the body parts involved should be enforced after skin  reconstruction for a burn has taken place. When a body part must be immobilised, it should  be splinted or positioned in an anti-deformity position for the minimum length of time  possible (Edgar and Brereton 2004; ANZBA 2007)  

The following is a table drawn up using current literature on the recommended  immobilisation times for the various skin grafts:

Table 8 Surgical procedure and related immobilisation

Surgical Procedure	Immobilisation Time
Biological Dressings	<24hours
Autograft (superficial to intermediate)	24-48hours
Superficial Thickness Skin Graft	3-5 days
Full Thickness Skin Graft	5-7 days

The times frames for mobilisation post-surgery outlined in this booklet are merely a guide  taken from an analysis of current literature and are NOT a replacement for the specific time  frames directed by the operating surgeon or consultant .  

For a physiotherapist the most important concepts to grasp are:

• What is the minimum timeframe of immobilisation post-surgery

• What structures MUST be immobilised

• Special considerations for movement, function and ambulation dependent on Donor sites and the structures repaired or excised during surgery.

Immobilisation of the Hand

Deformity Prevention

The most common deformity associated with burns is the ‘claw’ deformity. It involves  extension of the MCP joints, flexion of the PIP joints, adduction of the thumb and flexion of  the wrist . This position is also referred to as the intrinsic minus position.

Figure16a. Dorsal hand burn resulting  

in claw deformityFigure 16 b: Position of safe  

immobilisation (Glassey, 2004)

Position of Safe Immobilisation

The position of safe immobilisation of the burned hand is essentially the opposite of the  above claw deformity position. This position involves: 20-30 wrist extension, 80-90 degrees  flexion MCP joints, full extension PIP and DIP joints and palmar abduction of the thumb  (Boscheinen-Morrin 2004).

3. Positioning

• Modify according to burn area, patient pain and medical status.*

Table XXX: Positions of immobilisation, for pictures, see Procter, 2010

Area Of Burn	Common Contracture	Recommended position
Anterior neck	Neck flexion: loss of neck  contours and extension	Neck in extension. If head needs to be  raised, do not use pillows
Posterior neck	Neck extension. Loss of  flexion and other movements	Head in flexion. Sitting or lying with a  pillow behind the head
Axilla	Limited abduction/ protraction  with burn to chest	Lying/ sitting with arms abducted. Slings,  pillows, figure of eight bandage around  chest for stretch. Prone lying
Anterior Elbows	Flexion	Elbow extension
Groin	Hip flexion	Prone lying, legs extended, no pillow under  knees in supine, limit sitting/side lying
Back of knee	Flexion	Long sitting/ supine lying, no pillow  beneath knees
Feet	Dependent on area	Aim to maintain 90 degrees at ankle:  pillows in bed, sitting with feet on floor
Face	Variety: inability to open/close mouth/eyelids	Regular change of expression. Soft rolls  may be inserted into the mouth

7. Prevention of Pressure Sores

Splinting

Physiological rationale for splinting (Kwan 2002)

Scar tissue is visco-elastic. It will elongate steadily within a certain range. When this  stretching force is released, there is an immediate decrease in the tissue tension but a delay in  the retractions of the tissue to a shorter length. These stress relaxation properties of visco  elastic scar tissue means it can accommodate to stretching force overtime. Dynamic and static  splinting provide this prolonged low stretching force.

Categories of Splints

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∙ Static or Dynamic

∙ Supportive or Corrective

∙ Rigid or soft

∙ Dorsal or Volar

∙ Digit, hand or forearm based (Boscheinen-Morrin 2004)  Static Splinting

∙ A serial static splint is a device with no moving parts designed to be remoulded as a  contracture improves. The most common serial static splint you will come across is a  thermoplastic palmar splint moulded in the position of safe immobilisation.

Thermoplastic palmar splints in the position of safe immobilisation (Glassey 2004)

∙ A static progressive splint is a device designed to stretch contractures through the  application of incrementally adjusted static force to promote lengthening of contracted  tissue (Smiths 2009). There are various types of static progressive splints available  depending on the area affected. One such static progressive splint is a finger flexion  strap splint. This type of splint is used in the treatment of MCP extension  contractures. The flexion straps serially stretch scar bands along the dorsum of hand  and wrist causing extension contracture. The stretching force is localised to the MCP  joints by applying the straps via a wrist extension splint. This stabilises the wrist  providing static support below the MCP joint (Kwan 2002).

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Dynamic Splinting

Fig 18: Velcro flexion straps  (Glassey 2004)

A dynamic splint is one which aids in initiating and performing movements by controlling  the plane and range of motion of the injured part. It applies a mobile force in one direction  while allowing active motion in the opposite direction. This mobile force is usually applied  with rubber bands, elastics and springs (Smith 2009).  

Dynamic extension splints are most commonly used in the treatment of palmar and / or  finger burns (i.e. flexion contractures). All the finger joints including the MCP, PIP and DIP  joints are in full extension (Smith 2009).

Fig 19 Dynamic Extension Hand Splint

(Microsurgeon 2013)

Dynamic flexion splints are used in the treatment of dorsal hand burns. During wound  healing and subsequent scar maturation, the skin on the dorsal aspect of the hand can  markedly contract limiting digit flexion. A dynamic flexion splint in the sub-acute stage of  dorsal hand burns can aid in the prevention of MCP joint extension contractures (Kwan  2002).

Fig 20 Dynamic flexion hand splint in glove form

(Microsurgeon 2013)

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Overview of the Evidence:  

There is currently no evidence available which identifies the benefit of one hand splint over  another in the treatment of the burnt hand. A systematic review carried out in 2006  concluded that there are no studies examining the effectiveness of hand splinting for hand  burns, but rather studies describing types of hand splint interventions (Esselman 2006).  There are currently no control trials which compares the various types of splints available or  which examines the use Vs disuse of splinting the burnt hand. Literature in the area suggests  the use of splinting in the initial inflammatory phase to promote a position of safe  immobilisation. The use of splinting as an adjunct to treatment in the sub-acute phase is  discussed in the literature as an aid to maintain/regain range of motion.

Splinting Precautions

∙ Splints need to be cleaned regularly to prevent colonization by microbes which may  lead to wound infection (Wright et al 1989; Faoagali et al 1994)

∙ Unnecessary use of splinting may cause venous and lymphatic stasis, which may  result in an increase in oedema (Palmada et al 1999)

∙ Precaution must be taken to ensure that splints do not product friction causing  unnecessary trauma to the soft tissues (Duncan et al 1989).  

∙ Precaution must be taken to ensure that splints do not produce excessive pressure.  There is particular risk of pressure injury to skin after burn injuries due to potential  skin anaesthesia (Leong 1997).  

∙ Splinting should not be used in isolation but as an adjunct to a treatment regime Conclusion on Splinting

The use of hand splinting does not follow a protocol in the treatment of the burnt hand. It is  often common practice to splint the burnt hand in the initially inflammatory phase of healing.  Despite the level of evidence available it is important as a physiotherapist to be aware of the  role splinting can play as an adjunct to treatment of the burnt hand in the sub-acute phase of  healing. The application of hand splinting in the areas of burns must be clinically reasoned  for each individual patient. A Physiotherapist must identify the appropriate rather than  routine use of splinting. This is to promote patient independence and prevent dependence on  splinting devices both by patients and physiotherapists alike.