Therapy exercises after shoulder burn injury

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.

What should I do?

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 feeding yourself 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 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.

Exercises

Exercise 1

Sit or stand. Raise your affected arm forward above your head as far as possible

Grasp your arm as shown and push gently as far as you can until you feel a stretch.

Hold this position for seconds, then relax your arm.

Repeat times.

Exercise 2

Sit or stand. Grasp your arm above your elbow, keeping your elbow straight and your thumb pointing upwards. Make sure that your shoulders remain facing forwards and you do not rotate your body.

Raise your affected arm above your head, until you feel a stretch. Grasp your arm as shown and push gently as far as you can until you feel a stretch. Aim to get your upper arm as close as possible to your ear.

Make sure you do not arch your back.

Hold for seconds, then relax your arm.

Repeat times.

Exercise 3

Sit or stand. Reach up behind your back with your affected arm. Slide your hand up your back as far as you can. Help with the other hand if needed.

Hold for seconds, then relax your arm.

Repeat times.

Exercise 4

Stand or sit. Reach behind your head with the hand of your affected arm. Slide your hand down your back as far as you can. Help with the other hand if needed.

Hold this position for seconds, then relax your arm.

Repeat times.

Exercise 5

Lie down on the floor or a bed with your knees bent a little.

Clasp hands together. Lift your arms up and over your head, keeping your elbows straight. Aim to touch the floor or bed behind you.

Hold this position for seconds.

Then relax your arms returning to the start position.

Repeat times.

Exercise 6

Place your hands behind your head or neck with elbows pointing to the ceiling.

Move your elbows apart and down to touch the floor or a pillow.

Hold this position for seconds.

Then relax your arm returning to the start position.

Repeat times.