Cryotherapy Flashcards
what is cryotherapy?
the therapeutic use of cold in rehab medicine
what are some clinical indications for cryotherapy?
control inflammation + edema
control pain
reduce spasticity
control symptoms of MS
facilitate movement + ROM
what domain of the ICF model does cryotherapy directly affect?
body structures and functions
how does cryotherapy directly decrease the heat and edema associated with inflammation?
by decreasing the blood flow
true or false: if the temperature of an area is elevated, the area is probably still inflamed and will benefit from cryotherapy
true
how long does it take for tissue temperature to remain normal and all acute inflammation to resolve?
48-72 hours
why is it important to be cautious of prolonged temperature?
local infection
applying cryotherapy for how many minutes can control pain for 1 or more hours after treatment?
10-15 minutes
how can the use of cryotherapy provide neuro physiological effects?
gates pain transmission by blocking cutaneous nociceptors (pain receptors) + decrease nerve velocity A-delta fibers (pain pathways)
can the use of cryotherapy provide hemodynamic physiological effects
vasoconstriction: limits swelling and secondary pain
what are some types/application techniques of cryotherapy?
cold pack
ice cup massage
controlled cold compression units
vapocoolant sprays
frozen wet towels
ice water bucket
contract baths
LAB
what are cold packs?
gel composed of silica (or mixture of saline and gelatin) with a vinyl cover that conform to your body
stored in a cooling unit or freezer at -5 deg C (23 deg F)
what are ice packs?
crushed ice placed in a plastic bag, offer more aggressive cooling than cold packs at the same temperature because of the higher specific heat of ice vs gel
what is the proper application technique of cold packs?
10-20 minutes (no longer than 30 minutes) with application repeated every 1 to 2 hours
why should cold packs not be placed longer than 30 minutes?
after 30 minutes, vasodilation occurs rather than vasoconstriction as a warming mechanism
how does a controlled cold compression unit work?
pumps cold water and air into a sleeve that is wrapped around a patient’s body part + compression is applied intermittently inflating the sleeve with air
when is a controlled cold compression unit most often used?
directly post surgery to control post op edema and inflammation
true or false: a controlled cold compression unit is more effective than ice or compression alone in the reduction of reducing swelling and pain
true
what stage of healing does a controlled compression unit affect?
proliferative phase
(assists patient in regaining ROM faster)
what are some pros of ice cup massages?
cost effective and quick
what are some cons of ice cup massages?
messy + water can cause infection
what are some pros of ice water immersion/bucket?
full coverage of contact area (greater surface area)
what are some cons of ice water immersion/bucket?
limited application locations (hand/wrist + foot/ankle)
tolerance issue
why are vapocoolant sprays used?
used to achieve brief and rapid cutaneous cooling by evaporation to allow for stretch
USED PRIMARILY to reduce muscle spasms and desensitizing trigger points for athletes
what are some pros of vapocoolant sprays for athletes?
can return an athlete quickly to the game to relieve acute pain or cramping sensation and allow stretching
what are some cons of vapocoolant sprays?
chemicals are volatile, flammable, chlorofluorocarbon can damage the ozone layer, and can be dangerous if inhaled
do not frost skin, spray from a distance! and do not spray into open wounds!
what is cryokinetics?
application of ice ASAP post injury til numbness
allows painfree exercise during period of numbness until sensation returns (3-5 minutes)
used frequently in athletics to minimize loss of playing time
what is cryostretch?
vapocoolant spray used as a cooling agent
what are some contraindications for using cryotherapy?
cold hypersensitivity
cold intolerance
cryoglobulinemia
paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
Raynaud’s disease
over a regenerative peripheral nerve or area of circulatory compromise
what are some precautions for using cryotherapy?
over the superficial main branch of a nerve
over an open wound
hypertension: transient increases in BP
patients with poor sensation/mentation
very young or old patients
what are some adverse effects of cryotherapy?
tissue death-prolonged vasoconstriction (frostbite)
nerve damage
unwanted vasodilation (distal extremities after 15 minutes of cryotherapy = cold induced vasodilation after 20 minutes)
