Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Management on Burn Injury: A Case Report

Introduction: Burns are incidents that cause damage to body tissues including the skin and surrounding tissues resulted from thermal exposures such as flames and extreme cold temperature (frostbite), or other causes. Physical therapy management play important roles in burn injury to improve functional status and reduce pain. In this article we will discuss the importance of physical therapy management in patient with burn injury Case description: A 61-year-old female patient was struck by fire caused by a gas stove explosion while cooking, and trapped in a closed room for 9 minutes. The patient has received debridement and continued physical therapy rehabilitation. The rehabilitation program was including range of motion (ROM) exercise, pumping exercise, breathing exercise, chest physical therapy, and positioning. Results: After undergoing physical therapy management for one week, the results showed a significant increase in the range of motion, muscle strength (shoulder, MMT= 4; elbow, MMT= 3; hip, MMT= 2; knee and ankle, MMT= 3), skin integrity (Braden Scale: 18, considered as low risk), and functional status (Barthel Index: 9, considered as moderate dependence). Conversely, the value of silent pain and tenderness were decreased (NPRS: 0/10 and 2/10, respectively). However, no change was observed in motion pain (NPRS: 3/10). Conclusions: Physical therapy rehabilitation can increase ROM, muscle strength, and function in the extremities. In addition, this rehabilitation program positively impacts improving the patient's functional abilities.