Frost-bite: Treatment by passive vascular exercise: Report of cases

Abstract

Frost-bite is a prevailing pathological entity not uncommonly found among outdoor workers during the cold winter months, especially at temperatures below 8 ° f., or between 8 ° and 14 ° f. in the presence of strong winds. The underlying pathology results in the disturbance in the blood supply to the part by a marked vasospasm producing ischemia and anesthesia and if this vasospasm is not relieved within a period of twenty-four hours actual gangrene may result. Prophylaxis is the most important factor in reducing the incidence of occurrence. A comparatively new method of conservative therapy is offered in the alleviation of frost-bite, by the rapid relief of pain and the rapid restoration of circulation of the relaxation of vasospasm with a complete recovery in cases treated early. Late cases that have actual gangrene are relieved of pain and require less extensive surgery and a more useful limb therefore. Tendon injuries are not necessarily of a permanent nature. Epithelialization is rapid. Hospital stay is remarkably lessened as an added economic factor. The passive vascular exercise therapy in frost-bite will enable the surgeon to change from the placid role of waiting for a time to amputate to an active role of trying to tide these sufferers through to a stage of actual healing by restoring their circulatory balance in a rapid and sound way.