Utilization of Transforming Powder Dressing (TPD) to Treat Lower Leg Friction Burn from a Sports Related Injury: A Case Study Comparing Traditional Standard of Care Recommendations to Treatment with TPD

Introduction: Friction burns (FB), commonly called road rash, are superficial injuries frequently associated with sports activities and road accidents. FB are caused when the skin rubs into another surface and the friction produces a painful abrasion. Standard of care (SOC) recommendations to treat FB include topical antibiotics to help reduce infection risk and keep the wound moisturized, daily dressing changes, and ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain management.1Methods:This is a case report of a 15-year-old patient who sustained a 12 cm (length) x 5 cm (width) painful FB on his right lower anterior leg while playing Lacrosse. After the wound was cleaned, transforming powder dressing (TPD) was applied to the leg wound to determine how utilizing TPD compared to traditional SOC used for multiple prior, similar FB injuries. TPD aggregates upon hydration to form an extended wear (up to 30 days) moist, oxygen-permeable barrier that helps to cover and protect the wound from contamination. TPD can be topped off as required and secured with simple secondary dressings in areas of high friction or exudation.Results:The first application of TPD was applied on the day of injury (Day 1).  A nonadherent contact layer was applied over the TPD and secured with gauze. The patient initially reported a pain score of 4/10 (Visual Analogue Scale) which decreased to 0/10 a few minutes after TPD was applied. The FB was no longer painful for the duration of healing time. Additional powder dressing was sprinkled on (‘topped off”) Day 2, and after the secondary dressing fell off, the secondary dressing was not reapplied. By Day 4 the TPD matrix appeared mostly dried. On Day 5, TPD was topped off on a small 1 cm area. By Day 8, the TPD matrix was flaking off and the wound was healed.Discussion: The FB healed quickly with no infection complications. Wound pain was relieved when the TPD dressing was initially applied and the pain did not reoccur. The patient reported that his wound was easier to take care of and required less dressing changes than other treatments he has used for similar wounds previously.References:1. Web MD. First Aid & Emergencies. What to Know About Road Rash. Accessed 03JUN2024.