Lower limb functional status and its determinants in moderate/major burns at 3–6 months following injury: A two-center observational study

Abstract Introduction Severe complications which may cause impaired physical functions of the lower limb can often develop in the long term following a burn injury which includes the lower extremity. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical determinants of lower limb functional status, functional mobility and exercise capacity in moderate/major burns at 3 - 6 months following the injury. Methods The study included 42 burn patients, comprising 12 with moderate injury and 30 with major injury, aged 19-59 years old. The Lower Limb Functional Index was used to determine the lower limb functional status. Functional mobility and exercise capacity were evaluated with the Timed Up and Go test and the 6-minute walk test, respectively. Scar quality and kinesiophobia were assessed with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, respectively. The active range of motion (ROM) was measured with a universal goniometer. Results Significant and independent predictors of lower limb functional status, functional mobility and exercise capacity were determined to be the POSAS, kinesiophobia level, gender, burn injury severity, the number of operations and the presence of burn injury in any of the lower limb joints, knee ROM limitations, comorbidities, and trunk burn injury (p  Conclusions Burn injury characteristics and clinical evaluations of patients are important determinants of the lower limb functional status, mobility and exercise capacity in burn patients. These predictors should be considered to improve physical functions related to the lower limb when creating a personalized rehabilitation program.