The role of two-sided splinting for recalcitrant paediatric post-burn hand flexion contracture: a case report

A 2-year-old boy presented to the plastic and reconstructive surgery outpatient clinic with bilateral post-burn hand flexion contracture. The contracture had been released twice elsewhere. The third surgical repair on one hand at a time was conducted by the author (TOHP). However, inadeq.uate compliance to the postoperative splinting and exercise led to the recurrence of the contracture in the following year. A customised two-sided splint was therefore created to ensure proper placement and compliance. Reinforcement to the parents to encourage the boy to practise active exercise on demand was also an integral part of the management. Good functional and cosmetic outcome were presented at 1-year follow-up. This case highlights the value of a two-sided splint for the management of post-burn hand flexion contracture in children whose compliance is inevitably cannot be guaranteed.