Mobility - Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy

General mobility is initiated early to maintain function. If the burns involve the upper extremity the patient can ambulate if the involved limb is elevated. Unless other lower limb injuries are involved walking aids are not required.

The only Ambulation Restrictions are:

• No ambulation without tensors to involved areas. This includes transfers (e.g. bed to chair)
• No ambulation for approximately seven (7) days if burns to leg appear to be 2nd degree (as they can convert to 3rd degree with increased circulatory demands of ambulation.
• No ambulation for approximately seven (7) days post-graftingof legs - gradually increase duration of ambulation to prevent venous congestion in graft.

Ambulation following grafting to lower extremities is started at 1 min. on the first day. The color of the graft and donor site is noted before and after ambulation. Graft color should return to pre-ambulatory color within 20 minutes. If this criteria is met, ambulation time for the 2nd day can be increased to 2 - 3 min. intervals BID; if not increase at a slower rate. Once the patient can tolerate 5 minutes increase ambulation without specific timing. The patient keeps legs elevated when sitting until the grafts are approximately 3 weeks old. Donor sites require external pressure support when ambulating until no color changes are noted when legs are dependent.

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