Cold intolerance after nerve injury

• Published in: Journal of hand therapy Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 195 - 200
• Main Author: Novak, Christine B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2018; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Amputation; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Cold intolerance; Cold sensitivity; Control theory; Desensitization; Disability; Injuries; Intolerance; Life assessment; Management; Nerve injury; Pain; Pain perception; Patients; Quality of life; Skin; Studies; Temperature; Trauma; Nerve injury; Pain; Cold sensitivity; Management; Cold intolerance
• ISSN: 0894-1130; 1545-004X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2018.01.003

Cold intolerance after nerve injury can be severe and has been associated with high levels of pain and disability. This article provides an overview of the assessment and nonoperative management of cold-induced symptoms after peripheral nerve injury. A comprehensive evaluation should include both objective measures such as skin temperatures and subjective tools to assess the patient's perspective and impact of the symptoms. Management of the patient with cold intolerance remains challenging and should include adaptive strategies, warming interventions, and desensitization conditioning programs to minimize cold-induced pain and hyperresponses.
•Cold intolerance after nerve injury can be severe and has been associated with high levels of pain and disability.•A comprehensive evaluation should include both objective measures such as skin temperatures and subjective tools to assess the patient's perspective and impact of the symptoms.•Management of the patient with cold intolerance remains challenging and should include adaptive strategies, warming interventions, and desensitization conditioning programs to minimize cold-induced pain and hyperresponses.