Ten years follow-up of health and disability in people with acute traumatic hand injury: pain and cold sensitivity are long-standing problems

The aim of this study was to investigate health and disability in people with acute traumatic hand injury 10 years after the accident. A consecutive sample of patients from the Department of Hand Surgery was followed up by means of a postal questionnaire containing the instruments EQ-5D for assessment of health and DASH for assessment of disability. Questions were added about cold sensitivity, numbness and aesthetic problems. The 97 people with various acute hand injuries had greater problems with impairments of hand function than with limitations of activities and participation in daily life. Pain was more common than among the general Swedish population. Cold sensitivity was reported by 78% and was associated with both worse impairments and greater limitations on activity and participation. Despite problems with pain and cold sensitivity, they reported good health and a low degree of disability.