Cryotherapy Flashcards
Conduction
Heat transfer between two materials in physical contact
Convection
Heat transfer through circulation of specific medium consisting of a different temperature
Evaporation
Cooling that occurs when a liquid is changed to gas
Cryotherapy
Application of any substance to the body that lowers the temperature of the tissue
Penetrates 1 to 2 cm
Indications for cryotherapy
Acute or subacute inflammation
Acute pain, strain, or pain
Acute swelling
Myofascial trigger points
Muscle guarding
Muscle spasm
Acute contusion
Bursitis
Tenosynovitis
Tendinitis
Delayed onset muscle soreness
Post exercise edema/pain
Arthritic exacerbations or flare-ups
Spasticity
Post exercise to maintain soft tissue elongation
Cryotherapy contraindications
Areas with impaired circulation
Peripheral vascular disease
Hypersensitivity to cold
Skin anesthesia
Open wounds or skin conditions
Infections
Hypertension
Impaired sensation or mentation
Patients with a history of frostbite or systematic cold injury
Those diagnosed with cold urticaria, cryoglobulinermia, or Raynaud’s disease
Cold pack penetration depth
0.5-1 cm
Ice massage penetration depth
1 cm
PRICE
Position, rest, ice, compression, elevation
Position
Position extremity to avoid further injury or instability
Partially immobilize injured area
Rest
Avoid activities that would stress injured area to point of pain
Allow gentle ROM and movement without pain
Isometric exercises without pain to facilitate healing
Ice (in PRICE)
Apply ice in cycles of 10-15 minutes on and 1 to 2 hours off
Protect skin and limit cold application to 10-15 minutes
Compression (in PRICE)
Apply compression wrap to provide support and decrease edema
Elevation (in PRICE)
Position extremity above level of the heart to avoid increased hydrostatic pressure and swelling
Abstraction
Cold is applied to the skin which is warmer than the ice pack which causes heat to be removed
Biophysiological effects of heat or cold are dependent on what?
Rate and intensity of the cooling agent
Duration that modality is applied
Volume of treatment area
Thermal conductivity of the area (amount of adipose tissue)
Application techniques and methods of applying cold agents
Thermal conductivity
Rate at which the tissue transfers heat by conduction and efficiency of tissue to conduct heat
Tissue conductivity variation
Muscle has a high water content and conducts heat more efficiently than adipose tissue
Adipose tissue require longer exposure for the same effects
- Damage to skin/tissue may occur before desired physiological effects are achieved
- Patients with minimal adipose tissue may respond to cold application quicker with more systemic effects
Changes in muscle cooling as compared to other tissues
Muscle temperature changes are more gradual than skin and superficial tissues
Intermittent cooling may allow muscle to reach lower temperatures while reducing damage to skin and tissue
What does hypothermia or systematic cold injury occur?
Core body temperature decreases to 95 degrees F or less
Frostbite
Direct tissue freezing leads to cellular ice crystal formation with cellular dehydration and microvascular occulsion after rewarming of tissues
Occurs when skin temperature drops below 24 F
At what temperature will tissue damage occur
Can occur if tissue temperature is cooled to 59 F
Analgesia
Absence of sensibility to pain leading to relief of pain without loss of consciousness
Occurs at approximately 80.6 degrees F in 10-20 minutes
Higher intensity application like ice massage require less time and should be discontinued with analgesia is reached
Stages of perception of analgesia
Cold
Burning
Aching
Analgesia
