Physiotherapy for Burns & Plastic Surgery

Question 1

Burns at risk populations?

Answer 1

The very young
The very old
Males > Females

Question 2

Mechanisms of injury for burns?

Answer 2

• Thermal
• Chemical
• Electrical

Question 3

What are the local effects in terms of zones?

Answer 3

Zone of Coagulation (complete cell necrosis)
Zone of Stasis (cells initially viable, but then can die)
Zone of Hyperaemia (minimal injury to cells)

Question 4

Burns impairs the body’s…

Answer 4

first line of defence against infection

Question 5

What is SIRS?

Answer 5

A large inflammatory response to a large injury; inflammation will essentially becomes toxic

(renal failure, coagulopathies etc)

Question 6

Are full thickness burns avascular?

Answer 6

Yes; therefore there is no inflammatory response (zone of coagulation) for blood vessels to transport cells to fight infection

Question 7

First aid for burns?

Answer 7

• Cooling cares
• Cool running water is best
• 20 minutes
• Cover with glad wrap (but no circumferentially)

Question 8

For physiotherapy, what should we preserve in burns patients?

Answer 8

Active and passive motion

Question 9

What do we do for decompression when a full thickness burn puts vascularlity at risk and causes accumulating oedema to raise intra-compartmental pressure, increasing risk for compartment syndrome

Answer 9

Escharotomys

Question 10

What should we remember in terms of temperature when prescribing exercise to a burns patient?

Answer 10

They have an impaired ability to regulate their temperature and is therefore at risk of hyperthermia