ABOUT US
Stopping Burn Contractures Before They Start
Burn contractures are a preventable consequence of a burn injury. We are building a community of people who want to see a world without burn contractures.
ABOUT DR CONTRACTURE
Nearly 30 years ago, as a young clinician working in rural India, I (RuthAnn Fanstone, founder of Dr Contracture) witnessed first-hand the immense suffering caused by burn injuries. With little knowledge of burn care at the time, I was shocked at the level of need, pain and suffering. Determined to help, I travelled across India to learn how to care for burn patients and put that knowledge into practice in low-resource settings where patients could afford very little.
Burn care is costly and scarring or contractures often deepen the cycle of poverty for survivors. This experience left an indelible mark on me and set the course for my career.
Over the years I have visited and worked with leading burn services around the world, as well as healthcare systems with minimal burn care. I’ve met thousands of burn patients across many environments. One question kept returning: why are severe contractures rare in some settings yet devastatingly common in others? This question became the basis of my doctoral research into risk factors for burn contractures in lower-income countries.
*This is RuthAnn (on the right of the photo) in 1996, where it all started in a small hospital in rural North India. At this time, I had no idea of the journey ahead, I was just drawn to finding a solution for the palpable suffering I saw and experienced. This is another face I'll never forget, Sonil. Due to his injury and the very basic burn care available, he didn't survive his injury.
OUR PURPOSE
We believe burn contractures, and the suffering they cause, are preventable. Dr Contracture exists to give voice to people, especially in low- and middle-income countries, who often have little power to stop contractures despite their huge impact on individuals, families, and communities.
We don’t claim to have all the answers. Instead, by building awareness, deepening understanding, and sharing expertise, we can pinpoint where change will make the biggest difference. Together we can design strategies, put them into action, and stop burn contractures.
AWARENESS & UNDERSTANDING
Explain how and why contractures form and highlight their life-changing impact.
COMMUNITY
Connect survivors, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to build a powerful network for change.
STRATEGIES & SOLUTIONS
Together develop effective strategies and solutions across all relevant sectors to stop burn contractures.
FACILITATE CHANGE
Turn evidence and ideas into real-world improvements that stop burn contractures. Apply our solutions to create meaningful change and stop burn contractures
OUR GOAL
A world without burn contractures and the suffering they cause.
1. Raise awareness & understanding
Advocate and inform across sectors about burn contractures and their preventable suffering. Deepen knowledge of how contractures form, their impact, and how to prevent or reduce them.
2. Unite a community
Bring together a diverse, multidisciplinary network, with people living with contractures at its heart.
3. Develop strategies & solutions
Turn evidence and insights into effective, targeted interventions.
4. Facilitate change
Support and empower those able to make systemic improvements.
5. Stop burn contractures
Our ultimate purpose.
