Holavanahalli RK, Helm PA, Gorman AR, Kowalske KJ. Outcomes after deep full-thickness hand burns.
Objective
To measure hand-specific functional performance after deep full-thickness dorsal hand burns.
Design
Descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Setting
The 2005 Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress, Baltimore, MD.
Participants
Volunteer sample of burn survivors (N=32) with full-thickness dorsal hand burns with extensor mechanism involvement, who consented to participate.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Total active motion of joints, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), and Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ).
Results
Subjects had large burns (mean percentage total body surface area, 58%). Digit involvement was severe, with more than 50% having amputations and 22% with a boutonnière deformity. Forty percent of subjects had poor functional range with total active motion of less than 180°. Scores on the JTHFT were lower than normative scores, and subjects reported most difficulty in performing MHQ activities of daily living (ADLs).
Conclusions
Even with partial amputation or loss of extensor mechanisms, the intact flexor muscles facilitate function by allowing for a modified grasp and enable patients to be independent in most ADL tasks. Training programs can be developed to meet specific goals despite residual hand deformities caused by deep full-thickness burns.
aDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
bDivision of Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
Correspondence to Radha K. Holavanahalli, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9136
Supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education (grant no. H133A20104).
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
ABSTRACT