title: Long-term follow-up evaluation of cold sensitivity following nerve injury.
abstract: This article reports the long-term follow-up evaluation (mean, 10 years) findings of 50 patients with upper-extremity peripheral nerve injuries. The most common persistent symptom was cold sensitivity (n = 38), and 33 of 38 patients rated its intensity as moderate or severe. Cold sensitivity typically developed within months after initial injury and resolved in only 2 patients. No significant difference in the incidence of cold sensitivity was found between patients with subjectively normal hand sensation (7 of 11) and those who reported abnormal hand sensibility (31 of 37). A cold sensitivity severity score (CSSS) was determined; a significant relationship was found between the CSSS and the patient's subjective rating of cold sensitivity intensity and change in job status or occupation due to injury (p < or = .02). No significant relationships were found between incidence of cold sensitivity and age, mechanism of injury, smoking, or level of nerve injury. A significant relationship was found between cold sensitivity and digital amputation injuries (p < or = .05). Thus, cold sensitivity is a common sequela following nerve injury and does not decrease over time.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mackinnon
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Weisenborn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006941:Hyperesthesia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects