What is Cold Intolerance?

Abstract

There are four types of symptoms on exposure to cold in the condition known as cold intolerance: pain/discomfort, stiffness, altered sensibility and colour change. They may occur in isolation or in any combination. Symptoms were present in at least 64% of 200 patients 24 months after hand injury. Pain was found to be the most troublesome symptom. Colour change in the digits was regarded by patients as the least troublesome symptom. Symptoms may begin immediately after injury, but are more likely to develop with the first onset of cold weather if there is a lag period between injury and onset. Pre-existing cold related symptoms are uniformly made worse by hand injury. A definition of the condition has been proposed and it has been suggested that this collection of symptoms be known as "Trauma Induced Cold Associated Symptoms".

Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Upper-Extremity Nerve Injury

“…86,87,[89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100] Several studies have supported the continuation of cold-sensitivity symptoms in patients with hand injuries and nerve injuries and following replantation. 89,91,92,97,101,102 Campbell and Kay evaluated 176 patients following hand injuries, 73% of whom reported cold-related symptoms; most of these were related to pain. 91 Graham and Schofield evaluated patients more than 2 years after hand injury; 86 most of these patients (90% of trauma cases) reported cold intolerance, and only 9% reported an improvement over time.…”

“…89,91,92,97,101,102 Campbell and Kay evaluated 176 patients following hand injuries, 73% of whom reported cold-related symptoms; most of these were related to pain. 91 Graham and Schofield evaluated patients more than 2 years after hand injury; 86 most of these patients (90% of trauma cases) reported cold intolerance, and only 9% reported an improvement over time. Long-term cold intolerance in patients with hand injuries was evaluated by Nancarrow et al; 97 69% of patients reported cold intolerance, and 97% of these patients continued to have symptoms 5 years after injury.…”

Biomedical and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Disability after Peripheral Nerve Injury

“…Pain may also be associated with cold sensitivity 15,27,28,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] . The present study showed that patients with peripheral nerve injury had high levels of cold sensitivity and disability and that disability was predicted by pain and cold sensitivity.…”

“…The present study showed that patients with peripheral nerve injury had high levels of cold sensitivity and disability and that disability was predicted by pain and cold sensitivity. Many studies have demonstrated persistent cold sensitivity and substantial pain following hand trauma 65,66,68,71,76,79 . Cold sensitivity remains a challenge following peripheral nerve injury, particularly for patients who reside in cold environments.…”

Functional outcome and complications following surgery for Dupuytren’s disease: a multi-centre cross-sectional study

“…• • cold intolerance -described using an existing scale (Campbell and Kay, 1998); • • loss of flexion -defined as a fingertip pulp to distal palmar crease distance over 10 mm on active flexion; • • infection -defined as patient recall of the need for at least one postoperative course of antibiotics that was not prescribed as prophylaxis;…”