Contractures

Scar contractures develop after skin injury. A tight scar can limit movement. Treatment may be needed to reduce pain and improve function.

About Scar Contractures

Scar contracture happens when your body overreacts during the healing of a wound. A contracture can cause the scar to feel tight and make it hard to move, especially if it’s on or near a joint. This can cause pain and restrict your movements, leading to daily problems. Contractures are common after burns, especially if the wounds are deep. To prevent contractures, doctors may perform surgery to transplant skin and help the wound heal faster. Using splints and carefully moving the affected area can also help. It’s important to regularly check your scars and take good care of them, because they can either improve or worsen for months after the injury.

Frequently asked questions

How can you recognize a scar contracture?

You can recognize a scar contracture by a tight, pulling feeling in the skin around a scar that becomes harder to move. Often, the area feels tense and can be painful. If the scar is near a joint, it may become difficult to fully stretch or bend the joint. Sometimes, the shape of the skin or the body part can also change at the scar site.

Do scar contractures need treatment?

Scar contractures should be treated as soon as possible because they can limit movement around the injured area. For example, if a hypertrophic scar pulls down your eyelid, feels very tight, or significantly restricts joint movement, you should consult a specialist immediately.

Possible treatments for contractures

Treatment usually starts with non-invasive methods (like silicone products, pressure therapy, exercises, or splinting). More invasive options like laser therapy or surgical release of the contracture might be needed if non-invasive methods do not give enough improvement. After surgery, non-invasive treatments are still important to maximize surgical results and to prevent further loss of movement.

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