Cryotherapy: Difference between revisions

(added content)
mNo edit summary
Line 6: Line 6:
== Definition/Description  ==
== Definition/Description  ==


Cryotherapy, also known as ice application, is the simplest and oldest way to treat injuries.
Cryotherapy, also known as ice application, is the simplest and oldest way to treat injuries. Its worldwide use spread because of its effectiveness, convenience, low cost and ease of transportation. Ice is believed to control pain by instigating local anaesthesia. It also decreases oedema, nerve conduction velocities, cellular metabolism and local blood flow. The effect of the cryotherapy depends on the method, the duration, temperature of the ice and the depth of the subcutaneous fat. <ref name="aa">Bleakley C, McDonough S, MacAuley D. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14754753 The use of ice in the treatment of acute soft-tissue injury: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.] The American journal of sports medicine. 2004 Jan;32(1):251-61.</ref><ref name="ab">Dykstra JH, Hill HM, Miller MG, Cheatham CC, Michael TJ, Baker RJ. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657028/ Comparisons of cubed ice, crushed ice, and wetted ice on intramuscular and surface temperature changes.] Journal of athletic training. 2009 Mar;44(2):136-41.</ref>


Its worldwide use spread because of its effectiveness, convenience, low cost and ease of transportation.<br>Ice is believed to control pain by instigating local anaesthesia. It also decreases oedema, nerve conduction velocities, cellular metabolism and local blood flow.
== Application Methods  ==
 
The effect of the cryotherapy depends on the method, the duration, temperature of the ice and the depth of the subcutaneous fat. <ref name="aa">Bleakley C, McDonough S, MacAuley D. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14754753 The use of ice in the treatment of acute soft-tissue injury: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.] The American journal of sports medicine. 2004 Jan;32(1):251-61.</ref><ref name="ab">Dykstra JH, Hill HM, Miller MG, Cheatham CC, Michael TJ, Baker RJ. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657028/ Comparisons of cubed ice, crushed ice, and wetted ice on intramuscular and surface temperature changes.] Journal of athletic training. 2009 Mar;44(2):136-41.</ref>
[[File:Ice-pack-calf180.jpg|thumb|Ice pack being used for calf strain]]
[[File:Ice-pack-calf180.jpg|thumb|Ice pack being used for calf strain]]


== Application Methods  ==
The most common method of cryotherapy is the use of ice packs. There are different types of ice used in ice packs. The most common types are ice packs made with cubed, crushed and wetted ice.<ref name="ab" /> It was discovered that wetted ice is better to lower surface temperature during treatment and maintaining the lower temperature during recovery. It is also more effective in lowering the intramuscular temperature during treatment.<ref name="ab" />
 
The most common method of cryotherapy is the use of ice packs.  


There are different types of ice used in ice packs. The most common types are ice packs made with cubed, crushed and wetted ice.<ref name="ab" /><br>It was discovered that wetted ice is better to lower surface temperature during treatment and maintaining the lower temperature during recovery. It is also more effective in lowering the intramuscular temperature during treatment.<ref name="ab" />
A cooling effect can also be produced by icing spray for a similar effect.<ref name=":1">Galiuto L. [https://www.jscimedcentral.com/SportsMedicine/sportsmedicine-3-1060.pdf The use of cryotherapy in acute sports injuries.] Annals of Sports Medicine and Research. 2016;3(2):1060.</ref>
 
A cooling effect can also be produced by icing spray such as Deep Heat for a similar effect.<ref name=":1">Galiuto L. [https://www.jscimedcentral.com/SportsMedicine/sportsmedicine-3-1060.pdf The use of cryotherapy in acute sports injuries.] Annals of Sports Medicine and Research. 2016;3(2):1060.</ref>


More recently whole body cryotherapy has become popular for athletes, to help aid recover, as well as in persistent pain patients such as rheumatological conditions. More research is needed to understand the effect on the body and its relation to pain.<ref>Banfi G, Lombardi G, Colombini A, Melegati G. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/11531940-000000000-00000 Whole-body cryotherapy in athletes]. Sports medicine. 2010 Jun 1;40(6):509-17.</ref>
More recently whole body cryotherapy has become popular for athletes, to help aid recover, as well as in persistent pain patients such as rheumatological conditions. More research is needed to understand the effect on the body and its relation to pain.<ref>Banfi G, Lombardi G, Colombini A, Melegati G. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/11531940-000000000-00000 Whole-body cryotherapy in athletes]. Sports medicine. 2010 Jun 1;40(6):509-17.</ref>
Line 38: Line 32:
* Little evidence regarding duration and frequency of treatment to be effective<ref name=":0" />
* Little evidence regarding duration and frequency of treatment to be effective<ref name=":0" />
* Compression has been shown to be more effective post operatively<ref name=":0" />
* Compression has been shown to be more effective post operatively<ref name=":0" />
* In rare cases braycardia and frostbite symptoms have been observed. <ref name=":1" />
* In rare cases bradycardia and frostbite symptoms have been observed. <ref name=":1" />
* Some more advanced cryotherapy devices can reduce range of movement following TKR due to immobilisation of the joint. <ref>Thienpont E. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11999-014-3810-8 Does advanced cryotherapy reduce pain and narcotic consumption after knee arthroplasty?]. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®. 2014 Nov 1;472(11):3417-23.</ref>
* Some more advanced cryotherapy devices can reduce range of movement following TKR due to immobilisation of the joint. <ref>Thienpont E. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11999-014-3810-8 Does advanced cryotherapy reduce pain and narcotic consumption after knee arthroplasty?]. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®. 2014 Nov 1;472(11):3417-23.</ref>
<div class="researchbox"></div>
== Resources    ==
 
= Resources    =


<references />
<references />


[[Category:Primary Contact]]
[[Category:Primary Contact]]

Revision as of 16:20, 3 December 2018

Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

Cryotherapy, also known as ice application, is the simplest and oldest way to treat injuries. Its worldwide use spread because of its effectiveness, convenience, low cost and ease of transportation. Ice is believed to control pain by instigating local anaesthesia. It also decreases oedema, nerve conduction velocities, cellular metabolism and local blood flow. The effect of the cryotherapy depends on the method, the duration, temperature of the ice and the depth of the subcutaneous fat. [1][2]

Application Methods[edit | edit source]

Ice pack being used for calf strain

The most common method of cryotherapy is the use of ice packs. There are different types of ice used in ice packs. The most common types are ice packs made with cubed, crushed and wetted ice.[2] It was discovered that wetted ice is better to lower surface temperature during treatment and maintaining the lower temperature during recovery. It is also more effective in lowering the intramuscular temperature during treatment.[2]

A cooling effect can also be produced by icing spray for a similar effect.[3]

More recently whole body cryotherapy has become popular for athletes, to help aid recover, as well as in persistent pain patients such as rheumatological conditions. More research is needed to understand the effect on the body and its relation to pain.[4]

Conditions treated[edit | edit source]

  • Acute soft tissue injuries e.g. ankle sprain, muscular strain
  • Post orthopaedic surgery e.g. TKR, ACL reconstruction, arthroscopic shoulder surgery.[5]
  • Acute sports injuries
  • DOMS[3]

Benefits[edit | edit source]

  • Pain relief[6]
  • Swelling reduction[6]
  • Decreased surface temperature
  • Effective on a wide range of soft tissue injuries

Negatives[edit | edit source]

  • Little evidence regarding duration and frequency of treatment to be effective[6]
  • Compression has been shown to be more effective post operatively[6]
  • In rare cases bradycardia and frostbite symptoms have been observed. [3]
  • Some more advanced cryotherapy devices can reduce range of movement following TKR due to immobilisation of the joint. [7]

Resources[edit | edit source]

  1. Bleakley C, McDonough S, MacAuley D. The use of ice in the treatment of acute soft-tissue injury: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. The American journal of sports medicine. 2004 Jan;32(1):251-61.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dykstra JH, Hill HM, Miller MG, Cheatham CC, Michael TJ, Baker RJ. Comparisons of cubed ice, crushed ice, and wetted ice on intramuscular and surface temperature changes. Journal of athletic training. 2009 Mar;44(2):136-41.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Galiuto L. The use of cryotherapy in acute sports injuries. Annals of Sports Medicine and Research. 2016;3(2):1060.
  4. Banfi G, Lombardi G, Colombini A, Melegati G. Whole-body cryotherapy in athletes. Sports medicine. 2010 Jun 1;40(6):509-17.
  5. Ni SH, Jiang WT, Guo L, Jin YH, Jiang TL, Zhao Y, Zhao J. Cryotherapy on postoperative rehabilitation of joint arthroplasty. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2015 Nov 1;23(11):3354-61.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Hubbard TJ, Denegar CR. Does cryotherapy improve outcomes with soft tissue injury?. Journal of athletic training. 2004 Jul;39(3):278.
  7. Thienpont E. Does advanced cryotherapy reduce pain and narcotic consumption after knee arthroplasty?. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®. 2014 Nov 1;472(11):3417-23.