Incidence and severity of cold intolerance in patients with handfractures and patterns of rewarming of the hands after cooling

To our knowledge, little is known about the incidence of cold intolerance of
patients with hand fractures. The incidence of cold intolerance of patients
with nerve damage has been described by Ruijs et al. Depending on the severity
of the nerve damage the incidence is 56% -70%. Since these incidence are that
high, a new experiment is necessary to study if cold intolerance is also seen
in patients with hand fractures.
Secondly Ruijs et al described the relation between cold intolerance and the
rewarmingpattern after cooling of the hand. Compared to hands without any nerve
damage the rewarmingpattern of patients with nerve damage was different.

This study will give an insight in the incidence of cold intolerance of
patients with a fracture of the hand. This study will also show if there is a
relation between the rewarmingpattern and the cold intolerance of patients with
a hand fracture.

Part I
The patients group will receive a patient information form. This form also
includes a form for informed consent. If the patient has given informed
consent, the patient will receive the CISS-questionnaire.
Part II
The research group will select a new group of patients using the CISS-score as
criterium. This new group will be informed via a new patients information form
about the measuring of their rewarming pattern. After giving a new informed
consent, the patient will be contacted by phone to make an appointment for the
measuring.

N.V.T.

The burden of the patient is a 1-time visit to our clinic. In our clinic the
patients hands will be cooled for 90 seconds in a bath with a water temperature
of 13° Celsius.
As to our knowledge there are no risks for this study. However, for extra
safety all patients will use laser safety glasses for protection of the laser
light during the laser-doppler measuring.