Injury from bums is very common. Hot liquids, flame, electricity and corrosives like acid are the usual causes. Superficial bums heal by itself from the underlying dermis and do not require any operative treatment. But in deep bums (where the dermis is also burned) new skin cannot grow and the areas heal by scar formation. Scars have a tendency to contract, and therefore improperly treated deep burn areas develop postburn contractures. It becomes more severe with time. Prevention is by skin grafting the deep bum areas before scar formation starts. For established contracture treatment consists of surgical release and excision of the scar, straightening of the joints and skin grafting the area. Postoperative physiotherapy is very important.