Outcomes of a shoulder treatment flowchart in patients with axillary burns.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured shoulder treatment flowchart on range of motion (ROM) and function of the upper limb in patients at high and low risk of contracture after an axillary burn injury. Consecutive patients with axillary burns were managed according to a structured pathway based on risk of contracture. Those patients with deep partial- or full-thickness burns to more than one area of the axilla or requiring more than one split skin graft were classified as high risk; these patients underwent a more aggressive approach to splinting and exercise.