Rehabilitation of hand burn injuries: current updates.
The improved short and long term survival rate of individuals with large burn injuries has made rehabilitation for optimal recovery of the patient increasingly important. Burn injury to the hands worsens the prospect of functional recovery and good quality of life in single events, especially when included in larger burns. The purpose of this paper is to present a narrative review of examination strategies used for children with burn injuries to the hands in the acute, intermediate and long term stages of rehabilitation, and apply these concepts to selected treatments, using a case that is representative of this complex patient population. The model of health described by the World Health Organisation provided the framework for the review, to structure the review in the domains of body structures and body functions, functional activities and participation in life roles. The lack of consensus in the burn literature regarding the most appropriate outcome measures and interventions necessitates futures research and long term outcome studies to identify, predict and prevent the difficulties patients may face over their lifespan.
Shriners Hospital for Children, Department of Rehabilitation Services, 815 Market St, Galveston, TX 77550, United States. Electronic address: Acowan@shrinenet.org.
April C
AC
Cowan
University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1144, United States.
Caroline W
CW
Stegink-Jansen
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome