Background: Post-burn nerve compression syndromes are well known in the burn population. However, scant literature is present documenting specifics about at-risk patients or giving recommendations regarding management of these patients.

Purpose: Review presentation, workup, management and outcomes of post-burn nerve compression syndromes. Give recommendations regarding the care of the patient population that is at high risk for developing nerve compression syndromes.

Methods: Chart review and analysis of our experience with nerve compression syndromes in the burn population over a five-year period. Charts were reviewed with data obtained including age, burn mechanism, presence of heterotopic ossification, days to grafting, presence of burn over the compressed nerve, number of operations, etc.

Results: Twenty-one patients treated in the burn unit underwent fifty-two nerve releases. The average patient had two and a half nerves decompressed. The average total body surface area of burn was 42 %.

Conclusion: Patients with large area of burn were at higher risk of nerve compression, especially due to heterotopic ossification at the elbow. Nearly every ulnar nerve compression exhibited heterotopic ossification.