Objective To explore the application value of early compression nursing combined with functional rehabilitation intervention in patients with extremity burns. Methods A total of 100 patients with extremity burns admitted to our hospital from February 2024 to December 2025 were selected, and they were divided into the control group and the observation group by the random number table method, with 50 patients in each group. The control group received conventional nursing, and the observation group received early compression nursing combined with functional rehabilitation intervention. The scar status, scar thickness, joint range of motion and quality of life were compared between the two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the observation group showed lower Vancouver Scar Scale score, thinner scar thickness, larger joint motion angles and higher quality of life score after intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with extremity burns, early compression nursing combined with functional rehabilitation intervention can effectively alleviate scar hyperplasia, reduce scar thickness, improve extremity joint range of motion, and further enhance patients’ overall quality of life.