DEEP, as well as subcutaneous, tissues in the vicinity of burns are subjected to severe damage. Soft-tissue fibrosis is a common problem and may be followed by calcification and ossification.1,2 Bone or joint involvement, however, is rare. The following case of joint destruction in a child after a severe burn is unusual in that it involved the temporomandibular joint.
Report of a Case
A 10-year-old black girl was first hospitalized for second- and third-degree burns over 40% of her body surface on Dec 31, 1968, one day before her fifth birthday. The afflicted areas included the right side of her face, buttocks, and legs. Treatment consisted of fluid, blood, antibiotics, debridement, nitrofurazone dressings and skin-grafting. Dislocation of her right hip was discovered and reduced by manipulation and tenotomy of the abductor muscles in March 1969.Eight months after the burn, scars were observed on her face, back, chest, and