Burns are injuries that can leave long-term effects on the skin. After the wound heals, scars often appear, making the skin look different from before. In some cases, burn scars not only affect appearance but also cause the skin to feel tight and difficult to move.
Tightened skin from burn scars can occur due to the formation of thicker, stiffer scar tissue. This condition can make certain body parts less flexible and even restrict movement.
When the condition is sufficiently disruptive to daily activities, reconstructive surgery can be a solution to help repair damaged skin tissue.
Why Do Burn Scars Cause Tight Skin?
As burns heal, the body naturally forms new tissue to cover the wound. However, in some people, this healing process results in scar tissue that is thicker than normal skin.
This condition is known as Burn Scar Contracture, which is when scar tissue pulls on the surrounding skin, making it tight and difficult to move.
As an example:
- Burn scars on the neck can make it difficult for a person to turn their head
- Burn scars on the hands can interfere with finger movement
- Burn scars on the knees or elbows can make it difficult to bend the joints.
If not treated properly, this condition can interfere with daily activities and reduce quality of life.
How is Reconstruction Done?
In the medical world, there's a procedure called Reconstructive Surgery. This procedure aims to repair body tissue damaged by injury, including burns.
In cases of burn scars that cause the skin to tighten, reconstructive procedures are usually carried out in several steps, such as:
- Releasing stiffened scar tissue
The doctor will open or release the scar tissue that is pulling on the skin so that the area can move more freely. - Skin graft
If the area of damaged skin is large enough, the doctor may take healthy skin from another part of the body to cover the area. - Skin tissue transfer (flap)
In some cases, doctors use skin tissue and blood vessels from other parts of the body to repair the damaged area.
With this technique, skin that was previously tense due to burn scars can become more flexible so that body movement becomes better.
Do All Burn Scars Require Reconstruction?
Not all burn scars require surgery. In some mild cases, treatments such as physiotherapy, the use of special creams, or pressure therapy can help improve the skin condition.
However, if the burn scar causes the skin to be very stiff, tight, or interferes with body movement, a doctor's examination is very important to determine whether reconstructive surgery is necessary.
Conclusion
Burn scars can cause the skin to become tight and less flexible. This condition can limit body movement, especially if the scars occur over joints or parts of the body that frequently move.
Through reconstructive surgery, damaged skin tissue can be repaired so that the skin becomes more flexible and body movement function can return better.
If you or a family member experiences burn scars that feel tight or interfere with your activities, you should consult a doctor at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital for proper examination and treatment.
This article was written by Dr. Andi Azwadi Rais, Sp.BPRE (Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).