Cold hypersensitivity 6 to 10 years after replantation or revascularisation of fingers: consequences for work and leisure activities

J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009 Feb;34(1):12-7. doi: 10.1177/1753193408094440. Epub 2008 Dec 17.

Abstract

We investigated cold hypersensitivity and activity in 81 adults (male/female 76/5), 6 to 10 years after finger replantation/revascularisation (mean age at injury 43 (SD 15) years). Questionnaires included the McCabe Cold Sensitivity Severity Scale, Potential Work-Exposure Scale and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Eighty per cent of the respondents were cold hypersensitive; 20% were severely or extremely cold hypersensitive. Of the 74 patients employed at injury, 7% had changed work and 4% were not working due to cold hypersensitivity. The median score for cold exposure at work at follow-up was 153 (scale 0-300). The correlation between cold sensitivity and DASH work was low. One-third of the respondents experienced limitations in their leisure activities because of cold complaints. Long-term cold sensitivity was mild or moderate for most patients. Many cold hypersensitive patients managed to continue to work even under cold conditions and cold hypersensitivity was a greater problem in leisure activities.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Amputation, Traumatic / surgery*
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Finger Injuries / surgery*
  • Fingers / blood supply*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hyperesthesia / epidemiology
  • Hyperesthesia / etiology*
  • Ischemia / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain Threshold
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Replantation*
  • Risk Factors