[Rehabilitation of burn victims. A difficult path back to normality]. / Rehabilitation bei Brandverletzten. Der beschwerliche Weg zurück zur Normalität.

The most important aims of rehabilitation in burn victims is the restitution and improvement of joint mobility, mimicry and pulmonary function, as well as of muscular endurance and strength. In addition to the management of scars, therefore, patient instruction in unsupervised training and scar care, as well as promotion of re-integration into day-to-day life are essential. Depending on the parts of the body affected, measures may include manual therapy, active exercise, treatment with ultrasound, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in the case of facial burns, respiratory therapy and ergotherapy and, finally coordination training. Treatment of the scars themselves requires a combination of a number of measures, all of which should be of an "active" nature. Of proven value are manual massage of scar tissue, stretching exercises, the use of silicone, special splints and compression clothing, as well as laser therapy. Rehabilitation measures should be applied for not less than 4 weeks. Where indicated, further surgical measures should be discussed with the patient.

[Corrective osteotomies of the thigh after faulty healing of infected burn wounds]. / Korrekturosteotomien am Oberschenkel nach Fehlheilung wegen infizierter Brandwunden.

The occurrence of burn injuries and fractures of the extremities often necessitates that vital precautions be taken first and the possibility of osseous defective healing be initially accepted. After the vital functions have been stabilized, late corrective procedures become necessary. Two cases of the treatment strategy for femur fractures which healed defectively are reported.

[Special aspects in the evaluation of patients with burn injuries]. / Besondere Aspekte bei der Begutachtung Brandverletzter.

A severe burn should be considered as not only damage to the skin surface but also as an injury to the whole metabolism. All the life endangering complications should be checked by the internist, the urological, and the neurological physician. Special consideration has to be given to contraction of the scars and their influence on strength and flexibility. The formation of keloid scars and instability are further problems to be overcome.

[Upper arm fractures and upper arm shaft pseudarthroses]. / Oberarmschaftfrakturen und Oberarmschaftpseudarthrosen.

An assessment of treatment results achieved during two periods of observation (1953-1976 and 1976-1981) shows that chances of osseous healing are good in fractures and non-unions of the shaft of the humerus, provided the method of treatment had been correctly indicated. Preference should be given to conservative treatment in case of fresh fractures of the shaft. However, if this is not possible, surgery is indicated, as is the case if healing does not take place. Laminar osteosynthesis performed from the dorsal side should be the method of choice, since it combines the advantages of easy surveyability while performing the operation with those of biomechanical stability.