Kinesitherapy in thermal burns of the chest

Author(s): A. NOWAK-WRÓŻYNA, M.KAWECKI, J. KIMLA, M. JAROSŁAWIECKA, M. NOWAK

Introduction: According to Wallace burns of the chest and trunk constitute to 36% of the body area. Grade II° and III° burns cause painfulness with each inspiration at the beginning period, and forming necrosis of the burnt places decreases the amplitude of breathing movements. In later period a scar, which makes impossible to breathe deeply, occurs in a place of burn. That state favours occurrence of atelectasis and lung parenchymatitis. Breathing exercises application, effective cough learning, deepen inspiration exercises, inhalations, slapping and other techniques of respiratory rehabilitation are necessary for patients with burns of the chest and trunk. The aim: The aim of this paper is to evaluate effectiveness of the rehabilitation program of patients with burns of the chest and trunk, in which process of post-burn scar formation has just begun. Material and methods: The material consists of 10 men at age from 32 to 56, hospitalized in Department of Burns Treatment. In all patients risk of breathing difficulties existed, caused by astringent character of the forming scar. The procedure included: inhalations, breathing exercises with resistance, breathing exercises through various respiratory tracks, learning of effective cough and exercises combined with rhythmic breath. Results: Increase of the chest mobility range was observed in seven patients after termination of the rehabilitation program, in two patients the chest mobility did not changed and in one case it decreased. The vital lung capacity increased after exercises and significantly approached to proper lung capacity in major part of the patients during realization of the rehabilitation program. Conlusions: Adopted rehabilitation program fulfilled its role in the process of physical therapy of patients with burns of the chest and trunk, in which risk of the chest mobility limitation caused by astringent character of the post-burn scar existed.