Cryotherapy

Question 1

4 main uses of cryotherapy:

Answer 1

• decrease inflammation/swelling
• decrease pain
• decrease muscle spasm
• decrease neurological spasticity

Question 2

Management of swelling and inflammation:

Answer 2

• vasoconstriction to superficial tissues
• reduces the amount of chemical irritants to injured tissue
• “reflex” vasodilation: increase in blood flow with prolonged application

Question 3

Often used in conjunction with ____

Answer 3

PRICE

Question 4

PRICE:

Answer 4

• Protection
• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

Question 5

inflammation peaks __ to __ hours after injury

Answer 5

24-72

Question 6

increase resistance to passive stretch; associated with abnormal “tone”

Answer 6

spasticity

Question 7

low grade cold application applied # minutes for management of spasticity

Answer 7

30 minutes

Question 8

cold gel packs: depth of cold #-# cm after # - # minutes

Answer 8

1-2 cm

10-15 minutes

Question 9

temperature of cold pack machine:

Answer 9

0-10 degrees F

Question 10

4 stages of cold:

Answer 10

1. intense cold
2. burning
3. aching
4. numbness

Question 11

CONTAindication: 3 vasospastic conditions

Answer 11

1. cryoglobulinemia
2. paroxysmal cold hemoglobulinemia
3. raynaud’s disease

Question 12

result of abnormal blood proteins which forms a “gel” when exposed to cold

Answer 12

cryoglobulinemia

Question 13

with exposure to cold, hemoglobin gets broken down and excreted by kidneys and out in urine. “blood in the urine”

Answer 13

hemoglobulinemia

Question 14

sudden pallor cyanosis (B), even when cold is only applied to 1 side. Numbness, tingling, burning may also occur

Answer 14

raynaud’s disease

Question 15

4 other CONTRAindications:

Answer 15

• cold hypersensitivity or intolerance
• infection
• over regenerating nerves or with absent sensation
• peripheral vascular disease with poor circulation

Question 16

1 first question to ask for before cold pack:

Answer 16

Do you have any unusual responses to cold?

Question 17

if yes to #1 question, ask the following 7 questions:

Answer 17

• Do you develop a rash with cold?
• Do you experience any severe pain, numbness or color changes to your skin with cold?
• Do you ever have blood in the urine after cold?
• Do you have nerve damage/impaired sensation?
• Do you have any numbness and tingling?
• Do you have any issues with circulation?
• Have you had any recent infections?

Question 18

precautions:

Answer 18

• over superficial nerve branches
• over open wounds
• high BP
• impaired sensation
• impaired cognition
• very old or very young

Question 19

normal responses to cold pack (2):

Answer 19

• redness or dark pink

- decrease in tissue temp

Question 20

abnormal responses to cold (2)

Answer 20

• c/o of pain

- erythema with wheal formation with itching