Scar Education and Precautions

What is a scar?

• The body’s way of repairing damaged tissue

What is a hypertrophic scar?

• Thick, raised, rigid scar
• Often leads to decreased joint motion

Formation of a Scar

• Injured area will begin feeling very tight and difficult to move
• Begins forming as soon as 48 hours after initial injury,
• Scarring process takes 6 – 30 months to completely mature
• Immature scar – raised, deep purple red, or pink

VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

• If you do NOT stretch as OT/PT have instructed, you will likely lose active movement and function
• Scars never sleep, therefore you MUST stretch throughout the day in order to counteract the tightening effect that occurs during sleep
• It is easier to maintain range of motion than it is to regain range of motion

Your goal during the healing process

• Maintain and improve function
• Prevent deformity
• Improve appearance

Custom Fit Pressure Garment

• Elasticized fabric that compresses scar tissue to appear more smooth and flat
• May be prescribed for wear up to 23 hours a day for a period of up to 1 year
• Measurements are taken and custom fitted for your injury when you return to burn clinic
  • Glove, sleeve, shirt, vest, briefs, pants, or combination

Active Range of Motion

• Very important for your scar management program
• Necessary to regain and maintain movement of affected area
• Provides better outcome after surgery/injury
• Will enable you to regain motion

Regular Massage

• Massaging in small circular pattern helps break up scar tissue beneath the skin
• NEVER stroke a scar – this makes the scar band formation WORSE

Positioning

• Your therapist will show you the best method for positioning your burned extremity(ies)
• Proper positioning is very important - and along with active range of motion – will improve your chances of regaining full function