Medical rehabilitation of patients with a burnt hand. Part 2: Rehabilitation by means of physical medicine

Author(s): Henckel, v. , Donnersmarck, G, Goede, G., Otter, B., Fairley, A.

Journal/Book: Physikalische Medizin Rehabilitationsmedizin Kurortmedizin. 1993; 3/3: 89-94.

Abstract: The danger of scar contractures and malpositions of the deep-burnt hand requires intensive measures taken at an early stage by physical therapy also within the meaning of medieal rehabilitation. The crucial point for its success is the early beginning of physical and occupational therapy while the burn victim is being taken care of in the intensive ward. Parallel to respiration therapy and thrombosis prophylaxis, contracture prophylaxis of the affected hand, resp. other parts of the body which might be affected, too, is taken care of. Subsequent operations such as skin transplants require special physical therapeutic consideration.Since the conservation of the burnt hand's function is of utmost importance, activities of physical and occupational therapy overlap in a special degree. Medical rehabilitation is meant to make the patient independent of others' help, at least as far as his performance in daily life are concerned. Occupational therapy helps finding means of making the patient part of social environment again at an early stage of his recupation as well as showing him means for eventual reintegration in his occupation. The enable steering of the manifolded activities of the therapists and others taking care of the burn victim, team-spirit and good management are necessary. Problems arising within the team-work as well as the perplexity of the bum victims in their physical -emotional totality require not only consultation but also supervision by clinical psychology. As hardly in any other field the situation of the burn victim demands comprehensive therapeutic conception. Here persons must be included who were important to him and took part in their lives prior to the accident.

Keyword(s): Brandverletzung

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