Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America
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The goals of burn wound care are removal of nonviable tissue, prevention of infection, and facilitation of wound healing, while controlling pain and maximizing outcome. This article reviews the basic pathophysiology of burn wounds; describes the evaluation of the depth, location, and extent of the wound; and discusses the myriad of wound care products on the market including their strengths and weaknesses. This article guides the reader through wound assessment and designing the appropriate treatment plan.
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Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am · May 2011
ReviewPsychosocial recovery, pain, and itch after burn injuries.
Burn patients face complex rehabilitation issues including physical, emotional, social, and vocational challenges. Problems with anxiety, depression, sleep, pruritis, and body image can affect the burn patient's ability to return to an acceptable quality of life. ⋯ This article reviews the nonpharmacologic treatments available and discusses their scope and limitations. More research needs to focus on treatment options and prevention of long term issues.
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It is important to focus on community integration, including return to work and school, early during treatment after burn injuries. A careful analysis of the potential barriers to return to activities can help focus a treatment team and provide appropriate support for a return to work or school plan. ⋯ Vocational rehabilitation counselors and school reentry coordinators are valuable assets to coordinating with a treatment team and communicating with a workplace or school. A successful return to work or school is often achieved with a coordinated and supportive approach.
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The evolving shift in focus of burn care and research toward optimizing the long-term outcomes of persons with burn injuries has certainly increased the emphasis on burn reconstruction. There are an increasing number of persons surviving extensive injury who may have long-term reconstructive needs. Burn reconstruction, just as acute burn care, requires a coordinated team approach from initial consultation through recovery and rehabilitation. Clearly, in the future, one can expect evolution in surgical techniques and technologies that can improve the function and appearance of persons with burn injury.
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Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am · May 2011
ReviewNeurologic and musculoskeletal complications of burn injuries.
As more people survive burn injuries, there is an increasing focus on managing the complications of burn injuries with the ultimate goal of improving survivors' quality of life. Musculoskeletal and neurologic sequelae are significant complications of burn injury. Electrical injury is a subcategory of burns with multiple musculoskeletal and neurologic complications. Knowledge of these complications helps clinicians provide optimal long-term care for burn survivors and enables survivors to attain maximal recovery.