Scarring / contractures after burns or injury: which statement best describes its effect on ROM?

• A. ROM remains unchanged after scarring.
• B. Scarring causes temporary stiffness but recovers.
• C. Scarring increases joint ROM.
• D. Tighten permanently because of scarring, lost permanent ROM.

Answer: (D)

When skin and deeper tissues scar after burns or injury, the scar tissue becomes inelastic and can contract as it matures. This pulling and tightening across the skin and surrounding structures restricts movement, especially around joints. If a contracture forms and the scar tissue fixes a joint in a shortened position, the loss of motion can become permanent unless treated with interventions like early stretching, splinting, scar management, or surgical release. That’s why this statement best describes the effect on range of motion: scarring can tighten and lock motion in place, leading to a lasting reduction in ROM. In contrast, ROM is not typically unchanged, not reliably temporary with recovery, and scarring does not increase ROM.