Heat and Cold

Question 1

What are the modes of heat transfer?

Answer 1

Conduction
Convection
Conversion
Radiation
Evaporation

Question 2

How does conduction work?

Answer 2

Energy exchange by direct collision between molecules of 2 materials at different temps (Requires direct contact, hot packs, cold packs)

Question 3

How does convection work?

Answer 3

Heat transfer by direct contact with a circulating medium with another material. (Whirlpool, circulating blood)

Question 4

How does Conversion work?

Answer 4

Converts a nonthermal form of energy into heat (mechanical, electrical, or chemical)
Depends on power of energy
Doesn’t require direct contact
may have nonthermal effects

Question 5

How does radiation work?

Answer 5

It’s a direct transfer of energy without the need for an intervening medium or contact. (infrared lamps)

Question 6

How does evaporation work?

Answer 6

Energy is absorbed by change of liquid into gas. (sweat)

Question 7

What are some of the effects of cold?

Answer 7

Vasoconstriction
Neuromuscular effects
-Decreased nerve conduction velocity
-Increased pain threshold
-Altered muscle strength
-Decreased Spasticity
-Facilitiation of muscle contraction
Metabolic effects
-Decreased metabolic rate

Question 8

What are some uses of cryotherapy?

Answer 8

Inflammation control
Edema control
Pain control
Modification of spasticity (prolonged icing)
Symptom management in MS (cooling vest)
Facilitation
Cryokinetics and cryostretch

Question 9

What are the cryotherapy contraindications?

Answer 9

Cold hypersensitivity
Cold intolerance
Cryogolbulinemia
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
Raynaud's phenomenon
Over-regenerating peripheral nerves
Over an area of cirulatory compromise or peripheral vascular disease

Question 10

Cryotherapy Precautions

Answer 10

Over the superficial main brance of a nerve
Over an open wound
Hypertensions
Poor sensation or mentation
Very young or very old

Question 11

What are the adverse effects of Cryotherapy?

Answer 11

Tissue death (Prolonged vasoconstriction, ischemia, thrombosis, freezing of the tissue)
Damaged tissue < 59 F
Freezing/frostbit 39-50 F

Question 12

What are the 5 things a patient will experience with cold?

Answer 12

1. Intense Cold
2. Burning
3. Aching
4. Analgesia
5. Numbness

Question 13

What are some advantages of Ice massage?

Answer 13

Can observe treatment area
Used on small and irregular areas
Short duration
Inexpensive
Can be applied to an elevated limb

Question 14

What do you need to document with cryotherapy?

Answer 14

Area treated
Cooling agent
Treatment duration
Patient positioning
Response to intervention

Question 15

What are some effects of thermotherapy?

Answer 15

Vasodilation
Neuromuscular effect
-Changes in nerve conduction velocity and firing rate
-Increased pain threshold
-Changes in muscle strength
Increased metabolic rate
Increased tissue extensibility

Question 16

What are some uses of superficial heat?

Answer 16

Pain control
Increased ROM and decreased joint stiffness
Accelerated healing
Infrared radiation for psoriasis

Question 17

What are thermotherapy contraindications?

Answer 17

Hemorrhage
Thrombophlebitis
Impaired sensation
Impaired mentation
Malignant tumor
IR irradiation of the eyes

Question 18

What are some thermotherapy precautions?

Answer 18

Acute injury/inflammation
Pregnancy
Impaired circulation
Edema
Cardiac insufficiency
Metal
Open wounds
Topical counterirritant
Demyelinated nerves

Question 19

What are the adverse effects of thermotherapy?

Answer 19

Burns (#2 cause of malpractice suits)
Fainting
Bleeding
Skin/eye damage from IR

Question 20

How many layers do you need between the patient and the heat pack?

Answer 20

6-8

Question 21

What is the ratio of paraffin to oil?

Answer 21

6:1

Question 22

What kind of heat transfer does fluidotherapy use?

Answer 22

Convection

Question 23

What do you want to include in your documentation for thermotherapy?

Answer 23

Area treated
Heating agent
Treatment parameters
Patient positioning
Response to intervention