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It is important to exercise your joints after a burn injury. If the skin over or near a joint has been damaged by a burn, it has the potential to become tight and eventually contract.
A contracture is a lack of movement at the joint and this will happen if it is not exercised regularly leading to the joint becoming stiff and limiting your everyday activities. It is always better to prevent a joint contracture from occurring than it is to treat it.
If a contracture develops, another surgery may be needed.
During your treatment you will have carried out some exercises with the therapist. It is very important that you continue your exercises at home.
These should be carried out little and often throughout the day to prevent stiffness. Using your limbs for normal daily activities such as getting dressed and walking will help maintain movement and reduce stiffness. We would advise you to carry on with hobbies as discussed with your therapist as these will help to improve movement.
When you are lying in bed, it is important that you keep your affected leg straight and do not place any pillows under your knees, as this can increase your risk of contractures.
When your burn wound has healed, as advised, use an unperfumed cream to moisturise and massage the area 2 to 3 times a day to keep your skin supple which will help with your stretches at home. It is very important that the old cream is washed off before applying more.
Lie on the floor or bed with both legs straight.
Bend the affected leg at the knee so that your foot is flat on the floor.
Then put your arms around your knee and pull the knee closer to your body as far as you can.
Hold this position for seconds.
Then relax by straightening your leg.
Repeat times.
Lie on the floor or bed with both of your knees bent with your feet hip width apart.
Allow your affected knee to fall out to the side as far as it can go.
Hold this position for seconds.
Then relax by allowing your knees to return to the middle.
Repeat times.
Lie on the floor or bed with both of your knees bent with your feet hip width apart.
Straight your affected leg by sliding your leg out to the side as far as you can.
Hold this position for seconds.
Then relax by allowing your leg to return to the middle.
Repeat times.
Sheffield Children’s Burns Therapy 0114 271 7148.
Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
Resource number: PT30
Resource Type: Article
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH
United Kingdom
Switchboard: 0114 271 7000
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