Contracture release surgery refers to a procedure performed to correct structural alterations in soft and connective tissues caused by burns or trauma. The procedure may involve removing the affected tissues that have lost their elasticity, followed by reconstruction, such as skin grafting, to restore the appearance and functionality of the affected area.
For individuals seeking contracture release surgery in Hyderabad, Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad, offers advanced techniques and experienced plastic surgeons to help restore the patient’s daily life as much as possible. Let’s go through this procedure and related aspects.
Understanding Contractures
Contractures are structural changes in your soft and connective tissues that are caused as a consequence of burns, severe wounds, or traumatic encounters. These develop when the skin and underlying tissues heal in a position that is tightened, stiffened, and shortened (contracted). Contractures ultimately lead to fibrosis and scarring, limiting the natural range of motion and flexibility of the tissues. Mild cases of contractures can be reversed without the need for invasive surgery and can be treated with heat therapy, injections, and anti-inflammatory medications.
However, a severe contracture can significantly affect your daily life to the point that you may become unable to perform daily activities without assistance. This makes timely contracture release surgery in Hyderabad essential, as long-term complications can be prevented with early intervention.
Surgical Options for Contracture Release
Depending on the type and severity of the condition, the surgeon may use one or a combination of the following techniques to conduct a scar tissue release surgery:
Z-Plasty or Local Flap Procedures
A Z-plasty is a technique where a skin/fascia contracture is corrected by making a zig-zag/z-shaped incision in the affected area to release tension around the surrounding tissue. A surgeon may also try to relocate the scar to make its edges appear more like natural skin creases.
Skin Grafting or Skin Flaps
Skin grafting is performed in scar tissue release, in which scarred skin tissues are removed and replaced by healthy skin tissues taken from other parts of the body (donor site) or from a donor’s body.
Regional or Free Flaps
Free flaps are a type of flap, where a healthy tissue section with its own blood supply is relocated to the affected area from another part of the body. The surgeon meticulously connects all the blood vessels of the free flap at the new site.
Tenotomy
In tenotomy, the surgeon makes minor cuts in the tendon to relieve tension, allowing it to repair itself and grow back longer. It is also called tendon lengthening surgery.
Fasciotomy
Contractures that affect your fascia, such as Dupuytren’s contracture, can be treated with a Fasciotomy. In this hand contracture correction method, the surgeon makes an incision in the fascia to remove the scarred tissue.
Post-burn Contracture Treatment in Hyderabad
Burn contractures are among the most common post-burn problems and require optimised post-burn contracture treatment. The incidence of post-burn contractures is relatively high in our country, India. Burn contractures can lead to many complications, including restricted motion, disfigurement, and unacceptable aesthetic results. Therefore, it becomes important to develop a well-planned preoperative plan to achieve the desired results.
Post-burn contracture treatment in Hyderabad for burn scar deformity repair involves a surgical contracture release with skin grafting or flaps to restore normal structure. The scarred skin tissues are replaced with donor tissues that match the color and texture as much as possible. The donor tissues are typically taken from the non-affected part of the body, but if there are not enough unaffected tissues, healthy tissues from a donor body are used for grafting.
Post-Trauma Contracture Surgery in Hyderabad
Contractures after post-traumatic injuries, such as fractures and deep cuts, are not uncommon. Fortunately, in most cases, the contracture may resolve without surgery or is medically insignificant enough to ignore.
However, in other cases, post-traumatic contracture produces severe complications negatively affecting the daily life of the patient and causes restriction in motion. Post-Trauma contracture surgery is the ultimate treatment option for such contractures. Depending on the severity and the affected body part, the surgeon will decide which surgical option for contracture release to use.
Conclusion
Developing contracture while recovering from trauma is quite a common occurrence, and it may take a long time to recover from it. At Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad, early intervention with contracture-release surgery can make a substantial difference in managing contractures. Apollo offers advanced care, skilled surgeons and specialists, and comprehensive rehabilitation services, helping patients restore mobility, reduce pain, and regain independence through safe, patient-focused treatment.
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