What is the role of physical therapy and pressure garments in burn rehabilitation?

• A. Physical therapy preserves joint range of motion and prevents contractures; pressure garments help reduce hypertrophic scarring.
• B. Physical therapy is used only after wounds are completely healed.
• C. Pressure garments prevent infection; physical therapy is optional.
• D. Physical therapy cures burns faster.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how rehabilitation supports function and scar healing after a burn. Physical therapy focuses on preserving joint movement and preventing contractures by guiding gradual range-of-motion exercises, edema control, and strengthening as the wound heals. Keeping joints mobile helps prevent stiffness and deformities that can limit use of the affected limb.

Pressure garments play a key role in how the scar tissue remodels after healing. By providing constant, evenly distributed pressure, they help modulate collagen fibers, flatten and soften scars, and reduce hypertrophic (raised) scarring. They’re typically worn for many hours each day over weeks to months during scar maturation to improve both appearance and function.

So the combination of early, purposeful movement and controlled pressure on scar tissue addresses both how the limb moves and how the scar forms, which is why this approach is considered best.

It isn’t accurate to say physical therapy is only after wounds are completely healed, because initiating rehab early helps maintain motion and function. Pressure garments don’t primarily prevent infection—they’re about scar management. And therapy isn’t optional, nor does it cure burns faster; it supports recovery, function, and scar outcomes.