Cold Therapy Definitions

Knowledge is power.
Learn more about the importance of cold and compression therapy after surgery and injury.

Cold Therapy Definitions

Knowledge is power.
Learn more about the importance of cold and compression therapy after surgery and injury.

Inflammation:
The primary cause of post-injury and post-operative discomfort. When patients sustain an injury, healthy cells rush to the site to help the damaged area recover. As the healthy cells work to repair the injured site, they compete with damaged cells for oxygen and nutrients (hypoxia). This competition between cells leads to the death of both healthy and damaged cells, causing inflammation and discomfort. 2,3

Pain:
A chemical response to cell death. Cell death results in increased inflammation at the injury site and in return produces additional pain.

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC):
A system that pumps air into a pad and applies active compression.

Motorized cold therapy device:
A motorized cold therapy device incorporates a cooler filled with ice and water that is connected to a tube and pad. The device contains a motor that automatically pumps cold water from the cooler to the pad and back to the cooler for continuous flow of cold water to the pad. The pad wraps around the affected body part to provide therapy for the post-surgical or injury site.

Gravity-fed cold therapy device:
This cold therapy device includes a cooler connected to a tube and a pad, just like the motorized device. The difference with this system is that instead of a motor circulating the water, the user elevates the cooler above the pad so that the water drains into the pad. Once the water is in the pad, it can be applied to the body part for therapy. When a refresh of cooler water is needed, the user lifts the pad higher than the cooler to empty the pad and again lifts the cooler back up to re-circulate cold water back into the pad. Other non-motorized systems require use of a hand pump to pump new water into the pad.

Static compression:
Some cold therapy packs or motorized systems also apply compression to the affected joint. Static compression is applied using a wrap or bandage that initially applies a consistent compression level but declines over time as the wrap naturally loosens.

Active compression:
Another type of compression sometimes used in conjunction with cold therapy devices is active compression. Active compression is like squeezing the joint or body part. Active compression is applied intermittently through an electrical device utilizing an air pump. This type of compression is typically more consistent and controlled than static compression.

Sources

  1. https://www.brownmed.com/blog/cryotherapy/4-health-benefits-of-cold-therapy/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/
  3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php
  4. Waterman et al: Efficacy of Combined Cryotherapy and Compression Compared with Cryotherapy Alone. The Journal of Knee Surgery. Vol 25. No. 2, 2012.
  5. Murgier J., Cassard X.: Cryotherapy With Dynamic Intermittent Compression For Analgesia After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Preliminary Study. Orthopaedics and Traumatology Surgery and Research, 2014.
  6. Murgier J. et al: Cryotherapy With Dynamic Intermittent Compression Improves Recovery From Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. Journal of Arthroplasty, 2017.
  7. Leegwater, NC et al: Cryocompression Therapy After Elective Arthroplasty of the Hip. Hip International, 2012.
  8. Su E.P et al: A Prospective, Multi-Center, Randomized Trial To Evaluate the Efficacy of a Cryopneumatic Device on Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 2012.
  9. Knight KL. Cryotherapy in sport injury management. 1995. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
  10. Sabiston KB et al. The effects of intermittent compression and cold on reducing edema in postacute ankle sprains. Journal of Athletic Training. 1992;27(2):140.
  11. Hubbard TJ, Denegar CR. Does cryotherapy improve outcomes with soft tissue injury? J Athl Train. 2004;39(3):278-279.
  12. Schaser K-D, Stover JF, Melcher I et al. Local cooling restores microcirculatory hemodynamics after closed soft-tissue trauma in rats. J Trauma. 2006;61(3):642-649.
  13. Dahl J, Li J, Bring DK-I, Renström P, Ackerman PW. Intermittent pneumatic compression enhances neurovascular ingrowth and tissue proliferation during connective tissue healing. A study in the rat. J Orthop Res. 2007;25:1185-1192.
  14. Hochberg J: “A Randomized Prospective Study to Assess The Efficacy of Two Cold Therapy Treatments Following Carpal Tunnel Release”, Journal of Hand Therapy 2001.
  15. Saito N, et al: “Continuous Local Cooling For Pain Relief Following Total Hip Arthroplasty”, The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2004.
  16. Morsi E: Continuous-Flow Cold Therapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty, The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2002.
  17. Singh H et al: “The Efficacy of Continuous Cryotherapy On the Postoperative Shoulder: A Prospective, Randomized Investigation”, Journal of Shoulder Elbow Surgery, 2001.
  18. Bech, M et al: “Device or Ice: The Effect of Consistent Cooling Using a Device Compared With Intermittent Cooling Using an Ice Bag After Total Knee Arthroplasty.” Physiotherapy Canada, Volume 67, Number 1.
  19. Block, JE: Cold and Compression In the Management of Musculoskeletal Injuries and Orthopedic Operative Procedures: A Narrative Review, Dove Press Journal/Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, July 6 2010.

Ask your doctor about cold therapy risks

Any cold therapy product can cause serious injury if improperly used. Please ensure you have received proper instructions from your doctor and understand the risk before using any cold therapy device or gel pack. Only use cold therapy products as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Learn more about Cold Therapy

http://www.physiquality.com/blog/?p=8446

https://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/treatments-therapies/cryotherapy-cold-therapy

https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/heat-and-cold-therapy-for-arthritis-pain#1

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