Conservative management for hypertrophic scars (HSc) and scar contractures is of utmost importance to optimally reintegrate burn survivors into society. Many conservative treatment interventions have been described in the literature for the management of HSc. Recent advancements in the literature pertaining to post-burn scarring and HSc formation, have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms that support or refute the use of common rehabilitation treatment modalities after burn injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Vacuum massage, or endermotherapy, is applied to scar tissue with the primary therapeutic goal of promoting structural or physiological changes. These changes are intended to enhance pliability, enabling the skin to possess the strength and elasticity required for normal mobility. The advantage of vacuum massage compared to therapist-generated manual massage is that it provides a standardized dosage using rollers and suction valves to mobilize the tissue.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Burn Therapist Certification (BT-C) was introduced in 2018 to acknowledge occupational and physical therapists with specialized knowledge, skill, and experience in promotion of quality burn rehabilitation. Currently, BT-Cs make up 11.7% of therapists working in burn rehabilitation (n=39/333).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAccording to the Fear-avoidance (FA) model, FA beliefs can lead to disability due to avoidance of activities expected to result in pain or further injury. Extensive research on the relationship of FA, pain, catastrophizing, and disability has been generated with patients suffering from chronic neck and back pain, but little research has been conducted with burn survivors. To address this need, the Burn Survivor FA Questionnaire (BSFAQ) was developed (Langlois J, Vincent-Toskin, S, Duchesne, P et al.
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