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Had Burn On Right Hand. Now Not Able To Move Knuckles. Remedy?
Posted on
Wed, 22 May 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 22 May 2013
Answered on
Thu, 13 Jun 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : In 2011 my mother right hand was burnt while cooking in the kitchen with Ghee. Dr. tied the wrong bandage and not the situation is the knuckles are not bending not able to work properly
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing to us.
I have gone through the images attached. Your mother has actually developed burn scar contractures which is seen commonly in second or third degree burns or in simpler terms in deep burns. Scar contractures are basically tightening of the skin formed that may later on leave to joint movement restrictions and deformities.
It might not be due to wrong bandage being tied by the doctor.
Treatment is in the form of physiotherapy and splinting and if required release of contractures by plastic surgery. I would advise that you consult a plastic surgeon and physiotherapist for the same.
Hope that helped.
Wishing your mother speedy recovery.
Thanks for writing to us.
I have gone through the images attached. Your mother has actually developed burn scar contractures which is seen commonly in second or third degree burns or in simpler terms in deep burns. Scar contractures are basically tightening of the skin formed that may later on leave to joint movement restrictions and deformities.
It might not be due to wrong bandage being tied by the doctor.
Treatment is in the form of physiotherapy and splinting and if required release of contractures by plastic surgery. I would advise that you consult a plastic surgeon and physiotherapist for the same.
Hope that helped.
Wishing your mother speedy recovery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What is splinting?
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
Splint is a device used to immobilise a joint in a particular position. For example if joints of hand are in flexed position then a corrective splint would immobilise it in extended position. Sometimes splint alone does not help, in such cases a corrective surgery to release the contractures and skin grafting might be required. As you are in New Delhi. You may take a consultation for the same at Safdarjang hospital. Safdarjang hospital is a government institution having one of the best plastic surgery department.
Hope that helped.
Take care
Thanks for writing back.
Splint is a device used to immobilise a joint in a particular position. For example if joints of hand are in flexed position then a corrective splint would immobilise it in extended position. Sometimes splint alone does not help, in such cases a corrective surgery to release the contractures and skin grafting might be required. As you are in New Delhi. You may take a consultation for the same at Safdarjang hospital. Safdarjang hospital is a government institution having one of the best plastic surgery department.
Hope that helped.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr.
Can you please suggest a cream or lotion for removing the effect of burn
Can you please suggest a cream or lotion for removing the effect of burn
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back.
Due to burns, your mother has developed depigmentation, thinning of the skin.
This is known as post burn leukoderma.
It can be treated with steroid cream, tacrolimus, placentrex gel, topical psoralen, melgain( growth factor/ deca peptide) etc application. These drugs can give some improvement in terms of repigmentation of the area. But this repigmentation might be blotchy. All these drugs are prescription drugs and these should always be taken under proper guidance and follow up. The response achieved would depend upon the extent of injury
Another definite choice could be skin grafting or melanocyte transfer in the area. For the same XXXXXXX a plastic surgeon or Dermatosurgeon in your area.
Hope that helped.
Thanks for writing back.
Due to burns, your mother has developed depigmentation, thinning of the skin.
This is known as post burn leukoderma.
It can be treated with steroid cream, tacrolimus, placentrex gel, topical psoralen, melgain( growth factor/ deca peptide) etc application. These drugs can give some improvement in terms of repigmentation of the area. But this repigmentation might be blotchy. All these drugs are prescription drugs and these should always be taken under proper guidance and follow up. The response achieved would depend upon the extent of injury
Another definite choice could be skin grafting or melanocyte transfer in the area. For the same XXXXXXX a plastic surgeon or Dermatosurgeon in your area.
Hope that helped.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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