Effect of Paraffin Wax on Joint Contractures

The development of joint contractures after a burn injury represents one of the most important morbidities leading to reduced function and quality of life. Paraffin wax is commonly applied to contracted joints for its proposed benefits of increasing skin pliability, and/or relieving itch and pain. This pilot study will determine the feasibility of performing a fully powered study to objectively evaluate whether paraffin wax therapy significantly improves PROM in adult burn survivors with joint contractures of greater than 15% normal joint ROM (upper or lower extremity) compared to equivalent mineral oil treated joint contractures. This study will characterize the changes in PROM, AROM, itch, and pain in adult burn survivors immediately after the application of paraffin wax treatment relative to an intra-individual control scar treated with mineral oil. This will be a prospective, evaluator-blinded, intra-individual, randomized, controlled, pre-post pilot study.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult burn survivors (16 years and older)
• Have joint contractures ≥15% normal PROM at two different joints directly related to their burn injury/scars
• Are proficient in English and/or French
• Provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who have a cognitive/psychiatric condition that could impair their understanding of the consent process or adherence to protocol procedures
• Patients with neurological impairments related to their burn injury, such as a drop foot or a drop wrist
• Patients with pre-burn joint pathology that limited their PROM