IMPACT OF NURSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON MINIMIZING POST- BURN JOINT CONTRACTURE

Globally, burns are a serious public health problem. Rehabilitation isanessential and basic part of burn treatmentto limit contracture. It isnt something whichhappens following healing of skin grafts or discharge from hospital all things considered a process that beginnings from day one of admission and proceeds for a long time and sometimes years after the initial event. Aim of the current study:The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of nursing rehabilitation program on minimizing post-burn joint contracture. Research Design: Quasi-experimental pretest, posttest research design was utilized. Setting:The study was conducted in Burn Unit at General Kafrelsheikh Hospital- Kafrelsheikh City- Kafrelsheikh Governorate). Subjects:A purposive sample of 60 adults male and female inpatients diagnosed with major burn injury at shoulder, elbow, hip or knee joint where they included in the study, Patients assigned into two groups (control and study). Tools of data collection: tool 1:Demographic and medical data sheet, tool II: Joint motion measurement scale. Results:most of the study group were suffering contractures with active range of motion compared with more than three quarter of control group. While, about one third of the study have contractures with passive range of motion compared with more than two third of control group.A Statistically significant difference put into evidence between the two groups regarding severity, and frequency of range of motion limitation for affected joints. Conclusion: contractures are common problems after a major burn injury. Number of contractures occurred in spite of receiving a rehabilitation program. Despite the frequency of contractures at time of hospital discharge, very few contractures were severe. Recommendations.Early application of rehabilitation program as an important intervention for minimizing contracture in sever burn patients.