Burns information
Victorian State Burns Management Guidelines
The guidelines are a joint initiative between the Victorian state wide burns services at The Alfred hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital which aims to provide a more consistent standard of burns management, particularly in the early stages post injury, in order to improve outcomes for those who are injured. The guidelines are based on evidence where available and consensus expert opinion.
http://www.vicburns.org.au/
Burns Outpatients
The Burns outpatient clinic is run twice a week.
- Mon - 0900 - 1200
- Wed - 1000 - 1200
A referral can be faxed to 9345 5034 and an appointment will be made.
Burns and orthotics
Orthoses (Braces) are an important part of burns rehabilitation. Constant pressure therapy is vital to reduce the hypertrophic scarring (over scarring) and maintain body contours in deep and partial thickness burns. Positional orthoses are used to control contractures and maintain the correct position for optimal function at the joints around the body.
The Orthotics Department can provide these rehabilitation treatments:
- Custom Vivak® (clear plastic) Face Mask
- Erkoflex® (plastic) Nose Compressor - used under the JobstÒ mask to provide pressure around difficult facial contours.
- Ear Compression orthosis - for burns to the ear lobes.
- Surlyn® (plastic) Neck collar - for pressure therapy and maintain neck extension.
These orthoses predominantly concentrate on pressure therapy to reduce the hypertrophic scarring and maintain neck and facial contours.
- Arm Abduction (aeroplane) orthoses - maintains axilla (armpit) extension (stretch) to maintain range of motion for the shoulder.
- Three point pressure orthoses for the knees and elbows - to prevent flexion contractures at the joints.
- Custom Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO's) - maintain optimal positioning at the foot/ankle complex to provide the best alignment for walking and standing.
- Custom arch supports - distribute the pressure under the foot evenly.
Positional orthoses can be made for any part of the body with the main intention to prevent joint contractures and maintain optimal range of motion at the joints.
In general, orthoses in burns are necessary for any part of the body to minimise contractures, reduce hypertrophic scarring and preserve range of motion.
These orthoses need to be worn full time and only removed for exercising, bathing and eating (face masks only). Pressure sores and/or skin breakdown need to be addressed immediately to the Orthotics Department.
Marisa Adams (Orthotist/Prosthetist)
Orthotics Department, RCH, Burns Unit 2000
