Growth disturbances in the hands following thermal injuries in children. 2. Frostbite.

Nine children who had growth abnormalities of their hands following frostbite were studied. In all nine there was shortening of distal phalanges and some adjacent middle phalanges. Proximal phalanges and metacarpals were rarely involved. Epiphyseal abnormalities included destruction, premature fusion, and fragmentation. Other findings included irregularity of the distal ends of phalanges, abnormal alignment, joint abnormalities, and soft tissue swelling.