How Scars Can Affect the Way You Move

Whether you're healing from a burn injury or noticing deep stretch marks near your joints, one thing is clear: scars can do more than change how your skin looks. When located near areas like the knees, elbows, ankles, or shoulders, scars can actually restrict your movement. This is especially true for burn scars and hypertrophic scars that tighten over time—a process called scar contracture.

Why Scar Contractures Limit Mobility

Scars naturally pull as they heal. When that healing occurs over or near a joint, the tightening process can limit your range of motion. This issue is most common after burn injuries, but it's also relevant for larger stretch marks that affect skin elasticity.

A 2021 study by Blome-Eberwein et al. found that patients who received subcutaneous scar release near the joints showed an average improvement of 19.1 degrees in range of motion—particularly in the neck, shoulders, and armpits (Blome-Eberwein et al., 2021).

How to Manage Scars Near Joints

1. Start with Daily Stretching & Movement

Regular movement is essential to keep the area flexible and prevent stiffness. Gentle stretching can reduce tightness over time, especially when done early in the healing process. Physical therapists often recommend pairing stretches with massage to improve tissue mobility.

2. Use a Softening Scar Cream or Gel

Scar creams made with medical-grade silicone help flatten, soften, and hydrate tough scar tissue. Rejuvaskin's RejûvaSil Silicone Scar Gel and Stretch Mark Cream are both formulated to:

• Improve skin elasticity

• Calm irritation

• Reduce thickness and discoloration

These products work especially well when combined with massage to soften dense tissue around joints.

3. Try Compression and Support

In more advanced cases, wearing compression garments or using soft braces may help reduce scar elevation and keep joints supported during healing. Burn patients often use custom-made splints or wraps to maintain flexibility.

4. Consult a Specialist for Severe Contractures

In cases where scars are already limiting movement, interventions like laser therapy or subcutaneous release might be necessary. These treatments can improve joint function and reduce pain, often in just a few sessions (Willows et al., 2017).

Everyday Tips for At-Home Scar Management

• Apply your scar cream twice daily and massage gently for 1-2 minutes.

• Stretch the affected joint morning and night to maintain motion.

• Use Rejuvaskin's Skin Recovery Cream on top to nourish and soothe.

• Track improvements weekly to catch signs of tightening early.

Scars near joints don’t just affect how you look—they can affect how you move. By starting early with gentle stretching, hydration, and silicone-based scar care, you can help your skin heal more freely. Rejuvaskin's scar care products are safe for daily use, non-irritating, and ideal for keeping your skin soft, comfortable, and mobile.

Works Cited

Blome-Eberwein, S., Lepage, C., Johnson, B. (2021). Subcutaneous contracture band release in burn scars improves range of motion. Journal of Burn Care & Research. Link

Willows, B. M., Ilyas, M. (2017). Laser in the management of burn scars. Scars, Burns & Healing, 3. Link

Yelvington, C., Scoggins, T. (2017). Burn-related foot and ankle contracture: A case study. Journal of Burn Care & Research. Link