Post-burn scars and contractures
Treatment options in Shanghai

Therapy, individually prescribed stretching or splinting, and selected scar-care measures can address different aspects of recovery. Silicone products or pressure garments may be considered for particular symptoms and skin conditions; they are not universal substitutes for a functional assessment. Bring the actual programme, duration, tolerance and observed changes. A splint that causes pain, irritation or skin damage should be reviewed rather than worn through the problem. Ask whether the plan needs adjustment and how improvement will be measured. Avoid setting your own intensive stretching schedule from an online example.

A surgical discussion becomes meaningful when it identifies the restriction to be addressed and the expected functional gain. Ask whether the proposed treatment targets a tight scar, an area needing additional skin coverage or another structural problem. If release is proposed, the team should explain how the resulting wound would be closed and why that method suits the site. Laser treatment and reconstructive surgery do not have identical purposes. No method makes every scar vanish, and improving movement does not guarantee an invisible scar or eliminate the need for rehabilitation.

Depending on the defect, closure may involve nearby tissue, a skin graft or a flap; the specific reconstruction needs specialist assessment. A graft takes skin from a donor area, while a local flap moves tissue with its blood supply maintained. That creates consequences at both the treated area and the donor site. Ask about bleeding, infection, wound or flap failure, visible contour changes and possible further surgery. A more extensive procedure is not automatically better. Discuss which risks are relevant to your proposed operation and how complications would affect the rehabilitation plan.