Management of the burned hand

The hand appears to be the most common part of the body involved in burns as it is either used to shield the body from the burning agent or to extinguish the effects elsewhere on the body. The saying that "next to life there are hands" demonstrates the importance that is placed upon the use and need of one's hands in order to carry out everyday tasks of normal living. In order to manage burns to the hands, the effects of the injury and the aftermath must be understood and one must not only consider the hands, but the patient as a whole. The regime of treatment used at the Prince of Wales Burns Unit involving nursing care and physiotherapeutic techniques, is outlined, and the need for understanding of the pathophysiology of burns in order to correctly manage the burned hand is emphasised.