Superficial cold Flashcards
ideal tissue temperature for treatment
15 to 25°C
59 to 77°F
magnitude of temperature changes depends on
Temperature difference between tissue and cold source
Exposure time
Conductivity of area being treated
effect/amount of blood flow in the area
Conduction method
Cold packs
Ice massage
Cold towels
convection method
Fan
evaporation method
Vapo coolant spray
hemoDynamic effects of superficial cold
vasoconstriction
Reduces edema
Metabolic effects of cold
decrease metabolic rate
neuromuscular effects of cold
Decreased nerve conduction velocity
Reduce pain and increase pain threshold
Altered muscle strength
Decrease spasticity
Absolute contraindications of cold
cold hypersensitivity
Cold intolerance
Cryoglobulinemia
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
raynaud disease or phenomenon
relative Contra indications
Regenerating peripheral nerves
Circulatory compromise or peripheral vascular disease
precautions for total body cold
Impaired mental
very young
Very old
Hypertension
precautions for cold
Superficial main branch of nerve
Open wound
Poor sensation
options for superficial cooling
Cold or ice packs
Ice massage
Controlled cold compression unit
vapoCoolant sprays and brief icing
Cold ice packs
Final pack filled with silica or mixture of saline and gelatin
Semi solid between 0 to 5°C
Crushed ice in plastic bag
4:1 ratio water and rubbing alcohol
Ice pack more aggressive
Cover pack with damp pillowcase
Apply 10 to 20 minutes
Cold ice pack advantages
Easy to use
Inexpensive
Readily available for home use
Can elevate limb
ice pack disadvantages
pack must be removed to assess treatment area
possibly too heavy for patient to tolerate
Difficult with small irregular surfaces
Longer treatment versus ice massage
ice massage
Ice directly on skin
Massage with small overlapping circles
Wipe away water as melts
5 to 10 minutes until pain reduction
3 to 5 minutes for muscle facilitation
ice massage advantages
Treatment area can be observed during treatment
Can treat small irregular body regions
Easy to use
Short treatment times
Inexpensive
Readily available for home use
can elevate limb
ice massage disadvantages
Takes too long to do on a larger body region
Clinician or patient must be actively involved during treatment
controlled cold compression unit
Cold water/air pumped into sleeve
Water temperature 10 to 25°C or 50 to 77°F
Most commonly used during postop period
Helps control, pain, edema, and inflammation
controlled cold compression unit advantages
Allows compression elevation, and cold all at once
Variables easy to control
Can be applied to large joints
controlled cold compression unit disadvantages
Expensive
Only applicable for extremities, but not digits
Cannot move or visualize area being treated
vapocoolant spray
Ethyl chloride or fluori-methane
evaporation on skin results and rapid cooling of superficial tissues
Applied in parallel strokes along skin overlying trigger points
Provides counter stimulus results in reduction of motor neuron activity
Immediately followed by stretching
quick Icing may achieve the same result
vapocoolant spray precautions
Risk of frostbite if used excessively all at once
Inhalation could be dangerous
