Peripheral neuropathy in burn patients

Early Excision of a Full-Thickness Burn Prevents Peripheral Nerve Conduction Deficits in Mice

“…Peripheral neuropathy in burn patients is a well-known disabling complication after burn injury. 5,6 As early as 1971, it was discovered that 15 percent of 249 randomly selected burn patients at the University of Michigan Burn Unit had reduced motor conduction velocities in two or more nerves. 7 The extent of total body surface area burn injury ranged from 14 to 85 percent in the neuropathic patients.…”

Physical and Psychiatric Recovery from Burns

“…59 Polyneuropathy is more common in those with greater than 20% TBSA burns and electric injuries. [63][64][65] Electrophysiologic evidence of polyneuropathy is common within 1 week of severe burn injury. 66 Clinically, patients may have symptoms of paresthesia and signs of mild to moderate weakness in the muscles of the distal extremities.…”

“…It is a common diagnosis in patients with burns with a neuropathy. 65,67 Pruritus The mechanism of pruritus is not well understood. Although not as devastating as some other neurologic complications, itch is a significant complaint for many patients.…”

Burn Rehabilitation

“…Several level III or IV studies included subjects with neurologic symptoms, such as weakness or sensory loss, and found a high prevalence of neuropathy. [137][138][139][140][141] One study did not state the criteria for entry into the study. 142 In three level II studies [143][144][145] of individuals with large burns, the rate of neuropathy was found to range from 11% to 41%.…”

“…The neuropathy can involve a single peripheral nerve (mononeuropathy), one or more peripheral nerves consistent with mononeuritis multiplex, or as a generalized polyneuropathy. 137,140,141 Kowalske et al 144 found that risk factors for development of a mononeuropathy were an electrical injury, history of alcohol abuse, and days in intensive care. Risk factors for a generalized peripheral neuropathy were the number of days in the intensive care unit and subject age.…”