Frostbite arthropathy

Frostbite injuries are typically associated with soft tissue damage, but de eper structures such as bones, joints, and cartilage may eventually be affe cted in more than half of all patients. We report a case of a 29-year-old m an who presented with bilateral distal and proximal interphalangeal joint p ain, decreased range of motion, and an examination and radiographs consiste nt with osteoarthritis (OA). The symptoms began two decades previously afte r a frostbite injury sustained to both hands at age 9. This case illustrate s some important clinical sequelae resulting from frostbite injury, such as premature OA. Additionally, because the injury occurred before epiphyseal growth plate closure, he also developed brachydactyly. The thumbs were spar ed, as has also been reported by others, because the thumb is often protect ed in the palm.