Cryotherapy Flashcards
definition: the transfer of heat by direct interaction of molecules
conduction
What are the local effects of conduction and convection?
- decreased blood flow
- decreased NCV
- decreased tissue temperature
- vasoconstriction
definition: heat abstraction by direct contact of skin moving fluid particles
convection
Is convection or conduction faster?
convection
Convection is practical only for (proximal/distal) extremities
distal
definition: occurs on the surface of a liquid as it changes into gas
Ex: vapocoolant sprays
evaporation
What are the local effects of evaporation?
- decreased skin temperature
- decreased motor neuron activity
What are the hemodynamic effects of cryotherapy?
- vascoconstriction
- decreased blood flow
- increased viscosity
What is the most common ankle ligament injured?
Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATL)
Cryotherapy (increases/decreases) intramuscular pressure.
decreases
You should combine cryotherapy with ___ and ___.
compression and elevation
Cryotherapy (increases/decreases) Nerve conduction velocity (NCV)
decreases (helps improve pain threshold)
(true/false) extreme cold can block nerve conduction
true
What are clinical indications for cryotherapy?
- acute MS trauma
- pain and muscle spasms
- myofascial pain syndrome
Only use ice for (acute/chronic) conditions
acute
Cryotherapy should only be done for __-__ minutes intermittently
20-30
What are contraindications for cryotherapy?
- raynaud’s phenomenon
- cold urticaria
- cryoglobulinemia (when the blood contains large amounts of cryoglobulins)
- compromised circulation
- over areas of nerve degeneration
What are precautions for cryotherapy?
- HTN
- cold hypersensitivity
- impaired circulation
- thermoregulatory disorders
- over superficial nerves
- open wounds
Cold packs should be stored at ___ degrees for at LEAST 2 hours before use. They last about 15-20 minutes.
-5
definition: cold therapy used for trigger points and bursae
- may enhance collagen repair
ice massage
Ice massages should be performed CONTINUOUSLY for ___ minutes
5
commonly used for myofascial trigger points
Mechanism: broken pain spasm cycle
vapocoolant sprays
Vapocoolant should be sprayed (perpendicular/parallel) to muscle fibers followed by stretching
parallel
Cold whirlpools should be ___-___ degrees
67-80
Duration of cold whirlpool treatment should be ___-___ minutes
10-20
When using cold compression units (Game Ready), the limb should be placed at approx. ___ degrees of elevation
30
Cold compression units should have the parameters of ___ seconds on and __ seconds off for __-__ minutes (depending on pathology)
45, 15, 15-25
Do not increase cold compression unit pressure above ____ BP
diastolic
