Week 5 - Hot and Cold

Question 1

What are some local physiological effects of heat?

Answer 1

Increased metabolic activity
Increased blood flow
Extensibility of collagen may be increased
Joint stiffness reduced
Muscle spasm reduced
Pain relief

Question 2

At what time/ temp does tissue damage start to occur?

Answer 2

Above 45 degrees
45 degrees for 1 hour
50 degrees for 1 minute

Question 3

What are some indications for heat treatment?

Answer 3

Extend scar tissue
Joint stiffness
Muscle spasm
Pain relief

Question 4

What contraindications for heat treatment?

Answer 4

Lack of thermal sensation
Impaired circulation
Risk of haemorrhage
Devitalised skin

Question 5

What preventative steps should you take when using heat treatment?

Answer 5

Warn parents about risks and document
Informed consent
Test thermal sensation
Give patients’ way of contacting you if it gets too hot

Question 6

Give some local physiological effects of cold

Answer 6

Decreased MR
Vasoconstriction (5-15min) followed by vasodilation
May reduce swelling
Hypertonicity may be reduced

Question 7

What are some indications for cold therapy?

Answer 7

To decrease oedema
To reduce swelling
Acute injury/ post surgery
Minimise acute inflammation
Reduce muscle spasm
Reduce pain
Reduce chronic oedema/ joint effusions

Question 8

What are contra-indications for cold therapy?

Answer 8

Decreased sensation to hot/cold
PVD
Reynauds’
Cold urticaria

Question 9

What are precautions for cold therapy?

Answer 9

Cardiac disease
Altered BP
Defective thermal sensation
Skin hypersensitivity
Adverse psychological factors