Cold Therapy Flashcards
1
Q
Increased physiological responses to cryotherapy application
- Joint stiffness:
- Pain threshold:
- Increased Blood Viscosity:
- Muscle Strength:
A
- Joint stiffness: decreased extensibility of collagen tissue and increased tissue viscosity
- Pain threshold: inhibition of A delta and C fibers (gate theory), interruption of pain-spasm cycle, decreased sensory and motor conduction, synaptic transmission slowed or blocked
- Increased Blood Viscosity: decreased blood flow in small vessels facilitates red blood cells adhering to one another and vessel wall, impeding blood flow
- Muscle Strength: facilitation of alpha motor neuron (short duration: 1-5 min)
2
Q
Decreased Physiological responses of body sytems with cryotherapy application
- Blood flow
- capillary permeability
- elasticity of nonelastic tissues
- metabolism
- muscle spasm
- muscle strength
- spasticity
- vasoactive agents
A
- Blood flow = sympathetic adrenergic activity produces vasoconstriction of arteries etc.
- capillary permeability = decreased fluids into interstitial tissue
- elasticity of nonelastic tissues: decreased
- metabolism: dec rate of cellular oxidation
- muscle spasm: decreased firing of II afferents of ms spindle, increased firing of Ib GTO fibers reduces alpha MN activity and thus decreases tonic extrafusal activity
- muscle strength: decreased blood flow, increased viscous properties of ms, (long > 5-10 min)
- spasticity: decreased muscle spindle discharge (afferents: primary, secondary) decreased gamma motor neuron activity
- Vasoactive agents: decreased blood flow
3
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - Local Effects
A
- Decreased:
- Blood flow,
- capillary permeability,
- elasticity of nonelastic tissues,
- metabolism,
- muscle spasm,
- muscle strength (after 5-10 mins),
- spasticity,
- vasoactive agents
- Increased:
- Joint stiffness,
- pain threshold,
- blood viscosity,
- muscle strength (in first 5 mins)
- Vasoconstriction causes skin blanching at center with hyperemia due to histamine reaction around edge of the contact area.
4
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - General Effects
A
- Decreased:
- Metabolic rate,
- HR,
- RR,
- venous BP
- Increased:
- Blood flow to internal organs,
- CO,
- SV,
- arterial BP,
- shivering (when core temp drops)
5
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - General Indications
A
- Modulate pain
- Reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation or swelling
- Reduce ms spasm
- Reduce hypersensitivity
- Cryokinetics
- Management of symptoms in multiple sclerosis
6
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - General Contraindications
A
- Cold hypersensitivity (urticaria)
- Cold intolerance
- Cryoglobulinemia
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Impaired temperature sensation
- Raynauds Paroxysmal
- cold hemoglobinuria
- Over regenerating peripheral nerves.
7
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - General Precautions
A
- Hypertension
- Impaired temp sensation
- Open wound
- Over superficial nerve
- Very old or young
- Cognitive changes
8
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - Application (types)
A
- Cold pack:
- Dampen towel w/ warm water
- Treatment temp: 0-10 deg F
- Treatment Time: 10-20 min
- Ice pack:
- Treatment temp: 0-10 deg F
- Treatment Time: 10-20 min
9
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - Application: Ice Massage
A
- Stages: cold, burning, ache, numb
- Area no greater than 4x6 inches
- Not over superficial nerve
- Time: 5-10 min or analgesia
10
Q
Thermal Agents: Cryotherapy - Application: Vapocoolant Spray
A
- (evaporation)
- Hold 18-24 inches away @ 30 deg
- Spray 4 inches/sec
- Allow complete evaporation,
repeat
- Ms PROM stretch before during
- Time: 10-15 minutes *trigger points