Abstract
Burn rehabilitation in children presents a difficult challenge. Hypertrophic scar formation is accelerated in this population due primarily to the growth of normal surrounding tissue. Many patients who develop burn wound contractures of the foot and ankle are rendered nonambulatory. We describe a pediatric patient who developed fixed bilateral equinovarus deformities secondary to thermal injury. A patellar-tendon-bearing orthosis was fabricated for this patient to unload the foot-ankle complex with major weight bearing forces at the patellar tendon and tibial condyles. Through the incorporation of this orthosis with a full therapeutic rehabilitation program, the patient was able to ambulate independently using a rolling walker. We recommend the use of the patellar-tendon-bearing orthosis for those pediatric burn victims who develop foot-ankle contractures to allow for ambulation until such time as additional, more aggressive treatment is tolerated, or on a more permanent basis, if necessary.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 950-952 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 73 |
Issue number | 10 |
State | Published - Oct 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Contracture
- Equinovarus
- Lower extremity
- Orthosis
- Pediatric burn rehabilitation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation