Trench foot and other non-freezing cold injuries (literature review)

Abstract

Non-freezing cold injury is a general term that includes trench foot and immersion foot and is characterized by damage to the soft tissues, nerves, and vessels of the distal extremities as a result of long stay (usually two to three days or longer) in wet, cold (but not freezing: typically 0 to 15 °C) conditions. Trench foot syndrome primarily affects military personnel, fishermen, agricultural workers, travelers, and other segments of the population. In wartime, the number of such local cold injuries increases several times. Unfortunately, in domestic medical developments, this problem is practically not given due attention. Based on data from foreign literary sources and their own clinical experience, the authors were able to highlight the main patterns of pathogenesis and clinical picture of this pathological condition with justification of treatment tactic and preventive measures.