What complication is common with poorly treated deep partial burns?

Deep partial thickness burns, when inadequately treated, often lead to complications such as loss of functionality. This can occur because the injury extends through the epidermis and into the dermis, affecting the skin's ability to regenerate properly. As a result, the affected areas may not repair adequately, potentially leading to scar formation that restricts movement or causes contractures. This means that the healed area may not perform as well as normal skin, affecting the function of the underlying structures, such as joints or muscles.

In contrast, while some deep partial burns might heal with minimal scarring, the risk of functionality loss exists if they do not heal correctly. Surgical intervention is not always required; many such burns can heal with appropriate conservative management. Additionally, deep partial burns are often quite painful during the healing process, contradicting the notion that they do not cause pain. Thus, the identification of functionality loss as a common complication emphasizes the importance of proper treatment in managing deep partial thickness burns.