Serial Casting as a Conservative Treatment for Adults With Upper Extremity Burn Contractures: A Prospective Longitudinal Study With a Criterion for Change
Abstract
Joint contractures and hypertrophic scars (HSc) are common complications following burn injuries, significantly impairing range of motion (ROM) and quality of life. While conservative interventions target either contractures or HSc, serial casting (SC) is typically reserved for patients who fail traditional therapy or are nonadherent. The purpose of this study was to estimate the extent to which ROM (regular and revised passive and active), scar characteristics (objective and subjective), and patient-reported upper extremity (UE) function change following an individually tailored SC treatment program after switching from a minimum of 3 days of usual care. This study employed a prospective longitudinal intervention design with a criterion for change. Participants with UE joint passive ROM (PROM) loss of > 15% were included. Measures were taken at baseline, pre-SC, every Monday and Friday thereafter, and 3 weeks after casting. The QuickDASH and Patient Scar Assessment Scale were evaluated at baseline and 3 weeks after casting. Eleven individuals (13 joints) were included in this study. Regular PROM, revised PROM, and active ROM and scar thickness improvements were statistically significant. Participants reported improvements in UE function for 11/13 joints (median 16%, range 9%-21%) and scar impression for all scars (median 6, 4-10). Participants also perceived that SC reduced their rehabilitation burden. In conclusion, when possible, SC should be prioritized to increase PROM, reduce HSc thickness, and enhance patient-perceived UE function and scar outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{edgerlacoursiere2026serial,
title = {{Serial Casting as a Conservative Treatment for Adults With Upper Extremity Burn Contractures: A Prospective Longitudinal Study With a Criterion for Change}},
author = {Zoë Edger-Lacoursière and Valérie Calva and Victorine Labonté and Ingrid Malo Leclerc and Geneviève Schneider and Ariane Vaillancourt and Stéphanie Jean and Elisabeth Marois-Pagé and Bernadette Nedelec},
journal = {Journal of Burn Care \& Research: Official Publication of the American Burn Association},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1093/jbcr/irag116},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irag116},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Serial Casting as a Conservative Treatment for Adults With Upper Extremity Burn Contractures: A Prospective Longitudinal Study With a Criterion for Change
AU - Zoë Edger-Lacoursière
AU - Valérie Calva
AU - Victorine Labonté
AU - Ingrid Malo Leclerc
AU - Geneviève Schneider
AU - Ariane Vaillancourt
AU - Stéphanie Jean
AU - Elisabeth Marois-Pagé
AU - Bernadette Nedelec
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/04
JO - Journal of Burn Care & Research: Official Publication of the American Burn Association
DO - 10.1093/jbcr/irag116
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irag116
AB - Joint contractures and hypertrophic scars (HSc) are common complications following burn injuries, significantly impairing range of motion (ROM) and quality of life. While conservative interventions target either contractures or HSc, serial casting (SC) is typically reserved for patients who fail traditional therapy or are nonadherent. The purpose of this study was to estimate the extent to which ROM (regular and revised passive and active), scar characteristics (objective and subjective), and patient-reported upper extremity (UE) function change following an individually tailored SC treatment program after switching from a minimum of 3 days of usual care. This study employed a prospective longitudinal intervention design with a criterion for change. Participants with UE joint passive ROM (PROM) loss of > 15% were included. Measures were taken at baseline, pre-SC, every Monday and Friday thereafter, and 3 weeks after casting. The QuickDASH and Patient Scar Assessment Scale were evaluated at baseline and 3 weeks after casting. Eleven individuals (13 joints) were included in this study. Regular PROM, revised PROM, and active ROM and scar thickness improvements were statistically significant. Participants reported improvements in UE function for 11/13 joints (median 16%, range 9%-21%) and scar impression for all scars (median 6, 4-10). Participants also perceived that SC reduced their rehabilitation burden. In conclusion, when possible, SC should be prioritized to increase PROM, reduce HSc thickness, and enhance patient-perceived UE function and scar outcomes.
SN - 1559-047X
SN - 1559-0488
ER -