Search Results (17)

Background: Scar impairments impose a significant economic burden and negatively impact an individual’s well-being and quality of life. However, there is a lack of standardization in physical therapy interventions for scar management. Objective: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of studies addressing non-invasive physical therapy interventions for scar management. Methods: This scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Six databases were searched, and additional studies were retrieved through gray literature and the reference lists of included articles. All studies considering non-invasive physical therapy interventions for scar management were included. No restrictions were applied regarding time, context or publication type. Results were illustrated using descriptive statistics and summarized in an infographic. Results: Out of 13,419 initial records, 92 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most articles were narrative reviews (n = 41) followed by randomized controlled trials (RCT) (n = 18). The most reported interventions were pressure therapy (n = 41), physical therapy modalities (n = 37), silicone-based products (n = 29) and massage (n = 20). Conclusions: Scar management involves a wide range of physical interventions. However, research has predominantly focused on adults, particularly those with burns, with limited attention given to pediatric or non-adult populations. Furthermore, there is significant variability in the application parameters, scar localization and size. Examining the included study designs, most of the research presented reduced sample sizes and lacked control groups. Notably, almost half of the studies were based on expert opinions. Future high-quality research is needed to identify evidence-based interventions for the clinical management of scars. Full article

A PROM is a measure of patient needs and therapeutic progress. This paper outlines the validation of the CARe Burn Scale: Parent/Caregiver Form, a PROM that measures quality of life in parents/caregivers supporting a child with a burn injury. A literature review and interviews with sixteen parents and six burns health professionals informed the development of the PROM conceptual framework/draft form. Cognitive debriefing interviews with five parents and seven burns-specialist health professionals provided feedback to ascertain content validity, and two-hundred and four parents/caregivers took part in the field testing. Rasch measurement theory (RMT) analyses and internal consistency tests were conducted to create a shortened version and for psychometric validation. The final conceptual framework included eight domains/individual scales: Physical Well-being, Confidence with Managing Burn Wound/Scar Treatments, Social Situations, Partner Relationship, Self-worth, Negative Mood, Parent Concerns about the Appearance of their Child’s Burn Wounds/Scars, and Positive Growth. Seven scales had solutions from RMT analyses and passed internal consistency criteria. Confidence with Managing Burn Wound/Scar Treatments did not fit the Rasch model but was retained as a checklist based on theoretical insight. The CARe Burn Scale: Parent/Caregiver Form is the first and only burn-specific PROM that assesses parents’ own health needs when caring for a child with a burn. Full article

Disruption of the molecular pathways during physiological wound healing can lead to raised scar formation, characterized by rigid, thick scar tissue with associated symptoms of pain and pruritus. A key mechanical factor in raised scar development is excessive tension at the wound site. Recently, microneedles (MNs) have emerged as promising tools for scar management as they engage with scar tissue and provide them with mechanical off-loading from both internal and external sources. This review explores the mechanisms by which physical intervention of drug-free MNs alleviates mechanical tension on fibroblasts within scar tissue, thereby promoting tissue remodeling and reducing scar severity. Additionally, the role of MNs as an efficient cargo delivery system for the controlled and sustained release of a wide range of therapeutic agents into scar tissue is highlighted. By penetrating scar tissue, MNs facilitate controlled and sustained localized drug administration to modulate inflammation and fibroblastic cell growth. Finally, the remaining challenges and the future perspective of the field have been highlighted. Full article

Wound healing as a result of a skin injury involves a series of dynamic physiological processes, leading to wound closure, re-epithelialization, and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The primary scar formed by the new ECM never fully regains the original tissue’s strength or flexibility. Moreover, in some cases, due to dysregulated fibroblast activity, proliferation, and differentiation, the normal scarring can be replaced by pathological fibrotic tissue, leading to hypertrophic scars or keloids. These disorders can cause significant physical impairment and psychological stress and represent significant challenges in medical management in the wound-healing process. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of exogenously applied carbon dioxide (CO₂) on fibroblast behavior, focusing on viability, proliferation, migration, and differentiation to myofibroblasts. We found that CO₂ exposure for up to 60 min did not significantly affect fibroblast viability, apoptosis rate, or proliferation and migration capacities. However, a notable finding was the significant reduction in α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein expression, indicative of myofibroblast differentiation inhibition, following CO₂ exposure. This effect was specific to CO₂ and concentration as well as time-dependent, with longer exposure durations leading to greater reductions in α-SMA expression. Furthermore, the inhibition of myofibroblast differentiation correlated with a statistically significantly reduced glycolytic and mitochondrial energy metabolism, and as a result, with a reduced ATP synthesis rate. This very noticeable decrease in cellular energy levels seemed to be specific to CO₂ exposure and could not be observed in the control cultures using nitrogen (N₂)-saturated solutions, indicating a unique and hypoxia-independent effect of CO₂ on fibroblast metabolism. These findings suggest that exogenously applied CO₂ may possess fibroblast differentiation-reducing properties by modulating fibroblast’s energy metabolism and could offer new therapeutic options in the prevention of scar and keloid development. Full article

Scars may represent more than a cosmetic concern for patients; they may impose functional limitations and are frequently associated with the sensation of itching or pain, thus impacting both psychological and physical well-being. From an aesthetic perspective, scars display variances in color, thickness, texture, contour, and their homogeneity, while the functional aspect encompasses considerations of functionality, pliability, and sensory perception. Scars located in critical anatomic areas have the potential to induce profound impairments, including contracture-related mobility restrictions, thereby significantly impacting daily functioning and the quality of life. Conventional approaches to scar management may suffice to a certain extent, yet there are cases where tailored interventions are warranted. Autologous fat grafting emerges as a promising therapeutic avenue in such instances. Fundamental mechanisms underlying scar formation include chronic inflammation, fibrogenesis and dysregulated wound healing, among other contributing factors. These mechanisms can potentially be alleviated through the application of adipose-derived stem cells, which represent the principal cellular component utilized in the process of lipofilling. Adipose-derived stem cells possess the capacity to secrete proangiogenic factors such as fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor, as well as neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Moreover, they exhibit multipotency, remodel the extracellular matrix, act in a paracrine manner, and exert immunomodulatory effects through cytokine secretion. These molecular processes contribute to neoangiogenesis, the alleviation of chronic inflammation, and the promotion of a conducive milieu for wound healing. Beyond the obvious benefit in restoring volume, the adipose-derived stem cells and their regenerative capacities facilitate a reduction in pain, pruritus, and fibrosis. This review elucidates the regenerative potential of autologous fat grafting and its beneficial and promising effects on both functional and aesthetic outcomes when applied to scar tissue. Full article

Background: For years, surgical debridement with autografting has been considered the standard of care in the treatment of severe burns of the hand. However, in recent years, enzymatic debridement has increasingly been reported as a good alternative, especially for burns of the hand, as it selectively preserves viable tissue. In this study, we aim to evaluate the long-term function of the hand after enzymatic debridement in deep dermal burns. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted as well as measurements of subjective and objective outcome measures through physical examination and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores. Results: A total of 32 enzymatically debrided hands of 24 patients were included with a mean age of 42.4 ± 16.8 years and a mean follow-up of 31 months. Postoperatively, 19 of these could be managed conservatively using skin substitutes such as “Suprathel”, 13 had to undergo subsequent autografting. The mean DASH score for the entire study population was eight with a mean value of four in the conservatively managed group and fourteen in the autografted group. The mean Patient, Observer POSAS, and VSS values were nineteen, thirteen, and two. A total of 30 cases showed an effortless complete fist closure, and, also in 30 cases, patients attested to be satisfied with the esthetic appearance of the hand on being asked. Conclusions: The descriptive analysis of these results in our study population suggests that the enzymatic debridement of deep burns of the hand, especially combined with subsequent conservative management with skin substitutes, was associated with low long-term hand disability scores at a follow-up of two years. Full article

Introduction: Post-operative frenectomy care is often focused on active wound management (AWM) and followed by neuromuscular re-education (NMR). The standard practices of AWM are varied amongst providers. AWM is often expected to be performed by caregivers who have little to no experience with AWM. In contrast, NMR is individualized to patient needs and has been emerging in external evidence as a beneficial modality for the functional implications of tethered oral tissues (TOTs). It is guided by licensed professionals but is not often accessible or recommended. New Perspective: AWM and NMR often are similar in execution but differ in goals. AWM is focused on wound debridement and avoiding scarring or reattachment of the frena, whereas NMR is focused on airway, sleep, feeding, swallowing, speech, and optimal orofacial growth. AWM has little consensus or external evidence compared to NMR which has both internal and external evidence. AWM for oral care is also limited by scope of practice (SOP) which few licensed professionals have. NMR has a broader range of professionals such as International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), speech-language pathologists (SLPs), physical and occupational therapists (PT/OT) and registered dental hygienists (RDHs). Conclusions: NMR has multiple benefits post-operatively, is individualized and performed by multiple professionals. It is suggested that release providers consider gentle, functionally directed post-operative NMR techniques that are individualized, and research the impact these approaches have on wound care goals. Full article

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: Frontal sinus fractures (FSFs) can lead to a range of clinical challenges, including facial deformity, impaired facial sensation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, sinus drainage impairment, chronic sinus pain and mucocele formation. The optimal management approach, whether surgical or conservative, remains a topic of ongoing discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the functional and esthetic outcomes of patients with surgically and conservatively treated FSFs. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients treated for FSFs at the Karolinska university hospital 2004 to 2020 were identified in hospital records and invited to participate in a long-term follow-up. Sequelae and satisfaction with the esthetic result were assessed trough questionnaires and physical examinations. Results: A total of 93 patients were included in the study, with 49 presenting isolated anterior wall fractures and 44 presenting combined anterior and posterior wall fractures. Surgical intervention was performed in 45 cases, while 48 were managed conservatively. Among patients with moderate anterior wall fractures (4–6 mm dislocation), 80% of surgically treated patients compared to 100% of conservatively treated patients expressed satisfactionwith their cosmetic outcomes at follow-up (p = 0.03). In conservatively treated patients with a forehead impression, the anterior wall fracture dislocation ranged from 5.3 to 6.0 mm (p < 0.0001). Approximately 50% of surgically treated patients vs 15% of conservatively treated patients developed impaired forehead sensation at follow-up (p = 0.03). Thirty-six percent of surgically treated patients reported dissatisfaction with surgery-related scarring, particularly those who underwent surgery via laceration or bicoronal incision. Conclusions: This study suggests that anterior FSFs with a dislocation of 5 mm or less can be effectively managed conservatively with high patient satisfaction, low risk of long-term forehead sensation impairment and without potential development of forehead impression. Bicoronal incision or incision via a laceration may be associated with esthetic dissatisfaction and late sequelae such as alopecia. Full article

Background and Objectives: Acne scars are one of the most disturbing and long-term symptoms of acne vulgaris, having a negative impact on a person’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Aim: the purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and post-treatment outcomes of a dual-wavelength system combining the irradiation of two wavelengths at 10,600 nm and 1540 nm in the management of facial atrophic acne scars. Materials and Methods: Four healthy adult volunteers aged 24–53 years were enrolled. The areas treated were the full face (two patients), cheeks (one patient), and forehead (one patient). A dual-wavelength system (1540 nm and 10,600 nm) was used for this study. Patients underwent 2–4 treatment sessions, and the treatments were performed once every 45–90 days. All possible side effects such as burning sensation, dyschromia, mild to moderate post-treatment erythema, bleeding, itching, edema, and crusting were checked. The index to assess edema and erythema was based on a four-point scale (none, mild, moderate, and severe) and was applied before and at 3-month follow-up (3 MFU) after the last treatment session. In addition, a patient assessment was conducted before treatment and at 3 MFU after the last treatment session. Results: For all patients examined, the edema index was mild, while for the erythema index, 3/4 patients experienced moderate and 1/4 patients experienced mild symptoms. The mean patient downtime was 5.8 ± 0.5 days. Concerning the patient assessment, 2/4 subjects showed excellent improvement, 1/4 patients showed good improvement, and 1/4 patients showed slight improvement. As shown by the photographic assessment, a noticeable improvement in skin texture and a substantial reduction in acne scars were observed at the end of treatment. Conclusions: This dual-wavelength laser technology has the potential to be an interesting and safe approach for acne scar treatment, with a low risk of scarring/hypopigmentation and a shorter healing time. Full article

(1) Background: Extravasation injuries in pediatric patients can lead to significant harm if they are not promptly diagnosed and treated. However, evidence-based standardization on extravasation management remains limited, particularly for extensive wound necrosis. This case report presents the management of an 8-week-old premature patient with an extensive extravasation injury involving the right forearm and dorsum of the hand. (2) Methods: The patient was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Surgical intervention involved the debridement of necrotic tissues, followed by temporary coverage with an acellular dermal matrix. Definitive coverage was achieved through Meek micrografting after three weeks. Physical therapy was provided with pre- and post-rehabilitation range of motion assessed using goniometric measurements. Scar quality was evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale. (3) Results: The engraftment rate of the Meek micrografts was 93%, with 16 out of 226 micrografts lost. The patient achieved a Vancouver Scar Scale score of 6, indicating a moderate degree of scarring. Significant improvements in elbow, wrist, and finger joint range of motion were observed at a 1-year follow-up. (4) Conclusions: Close observation and heightened awareness of extravasation risks by trained personnel are crucial. Meek micrografting combined with dermal substitute coverage represents an innovative approach to managing extravasation wounds in pediatric patients. Full article

Wound healing (WH) is a complex multistep process in which a failure could lead to a chronic wound (CW). CW is a major health problem and includes leg venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers. CW is difficult to treat and affects vulnerable and pluripathological patients. On the other hand, excessive scarring leads to keloids and hypertrophic scars causing disfiguration and sometimes itchiness and pain. Treatment of WH includes the cleaning and careful handling of injured tissue, early treatment and prevention of infection, and promotion of healing. Treatment of underlying conditions and the use of special dressings promote healing. The patient at risk and risk areas should avoid injury as much as possible. This review aims to summarize the role of physical therapies as complementary treatments in WH and scarring. The article proposes a translational view, opening the opportunity to develop these therapies in an optimal way in clinical management, as many of them are emerging. The role of laser, photobiomodulation, photodynamic therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, and others are highlighted in a practical and comprehensive approach. Full article

Background: Scars affect patients after trauma, burns, or surgical procedures and can generate both physical and psychosocial changes. The aesthetic damage represents the modification of a person’s physical appearance, in its bodily integrity, causing numerous sufferings and determining social or economic consequences. The aim of this research is to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages offered by the available psychosocial and physical scar scales in assessing the physical, aesthetic, psychosocial, and juridical consequences of scars. This will aid to inform medical examiners about the most valued existing scales to allow them to select the most appropriate instrument to manage their patient. Methods: A broad search of relevant scientific studies on the psychosocial determinants of post-traumatic and surgical scars was conducted by using the following international database tools: PsycINFO, MedLine Social Science Index, Scopus, Web of Science, published from 1960 until 2022. Results: We analyzed 63 scientific studies to assess the advantages and limits of several psychometric and physical scar evaluation scales. Conclusions: The researchers analyzed in this review highlight the advantages and limitation of existing instruments, evidencing the demand for future scar evaluation instruments and a scar-assessing algorithm that takes into account the physical, aesthetic, psychosocial, and legal consequences of scars. Full article

Neurotrauma injuries are notoriously difficult to deal with both clinically as well as experimentally, as the cellular and molecular events ensuing after injury complicate the neuroinflammatory processes. Spinal cord injuries are further complicated by the formation of scars at the injury sites, which can provide a physical barrier to repair. The lack of effective clinical therapy for spinal cord injury underscores the need for experimental approaches to generate effective therapies. To repair the injury, cell transplantation offers the potential to replace lost cells and create a permissive bridge to promote neural regeneration across the injury site. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which are the glia of the olfactory nerve, stand apart from other candidate cell types due to their innate natural abilities to manage nerve injury and promote repair and regeneration. This is evidenced by their physiological role in the daily repair and maintenance of the olfactory nerve. Here, we explain their properties in relation to their physiological role and their most relevant cellular attributes, including cellular interactions, phagocytosis, migration, axonal guidance and support, and modulation of neuroinflammation. We highlight some critical drawbacks in the current approaches and identify some ways to address them. Full article

Every year, surgical interventions, traumatic wounds, and burn injuries lead to over 80 million scars. These scars often lead to compromised skin function and can result in devastating disfigurement, permanent functional loss, psychosocial problems, and growth retardation. Today, a wide variety of nonsurgical scar management options exist, with only few of them being substantiated by evidence. The working mechanisms of physical anti-scarring modalities remained unclear for many years. Recent evidence underpinned the important role of mechanical forces in scar remodeling, especially the balance between matrix stiffness and cytoskeleton pre-stress. This perspective article aims to translate research findings at the cellular and molecular levels into working mechanisms of physical anti-scarring interventions. Mechanomodulation of scars applied with the right amplitude, frequency, and duration induces ECM remodeling and restores the ‘tensile’ homeostasis. Depending on the scar characteristics, specific (combinations of) non-invasive physical scar treatments are possible. Future studies should be aimed at investigating the dose-dependent effects of physical scar management to define proper guidelines for these interventions. Full article

Condyloma acuminata is an infectious disease caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is manifested as warts that frequently cause pain, pruritus, burning, and occasional bleeding. Treatment (physical, chemical, or surgical) can result in erosion, scars, or ulcers, implying inflammatory processes causing pain. In this work, a biocompatible topical hydrogel containing 2% ketorolac tromethamine was developed to manage the painful inflammatory processes occurring upon the removal of anogenital condylomas. The hydrogel was physically, mechanically, and morphologically characterized: it showed adequate characteristics for a topical formulation. Up to 73% of ketorolac in the gel can be released following a one-phase exponential model. Upon application on human skin and vaginal mucosa, ketorolac can permeate through both of these and it can be retained within both tissues, particularly on vaginal mucosa. Another advantage is that no systemic side effects should be expected after application of the gel. The hydrogel showed itself to be well tolerated in vivo when applied on humans, and it did not cause any visible irritation. Finally, ketorolac hydrogel showed 53% anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting that it is a stable and suitable formulation for the treatment of inflammatory processes, such as those occurring upon chemical or surgical removal of anogenital warts. Full article