Therapy exercises after a
burn to your knee
Information for patients
Therapy Services - MSK
Therapy and exercise
It is important to exercise your joints after a burn injury.
• If the skin over or near a joint has been damaged by a burn, it has
the potential to become tight and eventually contract.
• A contracture is a lack of movement at the joint and this will
happen if it is not exercised regularly leading to the joint becoming
stiff and limiting your everyday activities.
• It is always better to prevent a joint contracture from occurring
than it is to treat it. If a contracture develops, further surgery may
be needed.
• When you are lying in bed, it is important that you keep your
affected leg straight and do not place any pillows under your
knees, as this can increase your risk of contractures.
page 2 of 8
Your exercises
During your treatment you will have carried out some exercises with the
therapist. It is important that you continue your exercises at
home. These should be carried out little and often throughout the day
to prevent stiffness.
The exercises are designed to:
• reduce swelling in the foot and leg
• improve the circulation and speed up healing
• prevent joint stiffness
Using your limbs for normal daily activities such as getting dressed and
walking will help maintain movement and reduce stiffness.
Even though you have dressing on your foot / leg, you should still try to
use it for walking to keep the joint moving and the muscles strong.
If necessary, the physiotherapist will provide you with a walking aid (for
example a stick or crutches) to assist with walking.
We would advise you to carry on with hobbies as discussed with your
therapist as these will help to improve movement.
Please note: It may be necessary to be on strict bed rest following a
lower limb burn. Only walk if you have been told to do so.
page 3 of 8
Range of movement exercises
Lie on the floor or bed. Straighten both legs out.
Bend the affected leg at the knee so that your foot is flat on the floor.
Then put your arms around your knee and pull the knee close to your
body as far as you can.
Hold this position for __________ seconds.
Then relax by straightening your leg.
page 4 of 8
Lie with your knees flat on the floor or bed. With the affected leg push
the knee into the bed or floor.
Hold this position for __________ seconds. Then relax your leg.
Repeat _______ times.
Straighten the affected leg in front of you, either on the floor or the
bed. Place a towel around your foot. Pull the towel whilst pushing your
knee downwards.
Hold this position for __________ seconds. Then relax by releasing the
towel.
Repeat _______ times.
page 5 of 8
Sitting on a chair, bend the knee by sliding your foot along the floor. To
make this exercise easier you may use a tray or a plastic bag under your
foot.
Straighten the knee by sliding your foot along the floor.
Hold each position for ________ seconds then relax.
page 6 of 8
Sit on a chair and place the affected leg onto a stool or chair, allowing
your knee to relax and straighten fully.
Hold this position for __________ minutes.
Then relax by taking your leg off the stool or chair.
Repeat _________ times.
page 7 of 8
Swelling
You may find that your foot / leg is swollen; this is a normal reaction to
the burn.
You can help reduce the swelling by keeping your leg up when resting.
You should keep your leg up (on a stool) with the knee out straight and
your toes pointing up to the ceiling.
Caring for your burn
When your burn wound has healed, as advised, use an unperfumed
cream to moisturise and massage the area 2-3 times a day to keep your
skin supple. This will help with your stretches at home. It is very
important that the old cream is washed off before applying more.
How to contact us
If you have any problems or queries please do not hesitate to contact:
Named Therapist: _________________________________________
Telephone: 0114 271 5799 or 0114 226 6457
Northern Burn Care Operational Delivery Network
Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapy Service Development Group
Produced with support from Sheffield Hospitals Charity
Working hard to fund improvements that make life better
for patients and their families
Please donate to help us do more
www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk
Registered Charity No 1059043
Alternative formats may be available on request.
Please email: [email protected]
© Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2016
Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the “Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005”
SI 2005 No.1515. Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
Email [email protected]
PD8447-PIL3558 v1
Issue Date: January 2016. Review Date: January 2018