Published in

BMJ Publishing Group, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 5(34), p. 382-383, 2000

DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.34.5.382

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Frozen chips: an unusual cause of severe frostbite injury

Journal article published in 2000 by Colin A. Graham ORCID, James Stevenson
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

A case of severe frostbite injury to the right foot is presented. This was caused by the inappropriate application of a bag of frozen chips to the foot in an attempt to ease non-specific pain. No specific acute traumatic injury was identified. As the patient was a teacher of physical education, the pain had initially been assumed to originate from a minor musculoskeletal injury. Full recovery ensued after surgical excision of necrotic tissue and split skin grafting. The danger of inappropriate overenthusiastic use of ice packs or other frozen material to treat soft tissue injuries is emphasised. The need for education to prevent similar future injuries is discussed.