Cold Therapy Clinical Research Overview

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Shelbourne 1994

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Shelbourne, K.D., 1994. Postoperative cryotherapy for the knee in ACL reconstructive surgery. Orthopaedics (International Edition), Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 165-170.

Design: Prospective Study Subjects: 400 consecutive patients who underwent ACL reconstruction. Methods: Patients were allocated to three groups: 1. 100 patients were treated with the hot/ice thermal blanket 2. 100 patients were treated with crushed ice bags 3. 200 patients were treated with the Aircast Cryo/Cuff . Outcomes included: Narcotic use (number of injected and oral narcotics administered), length of hospitalization. Results: • Patients using the Cryo/Cuff required significantly less pain medication postoperatively than patients treated with crushed ice. • Days of hospitalization were significantly lower in the Cryo/Cuff group than in the crushed ice or hot/ice groups. • The Cryo/Cuff did not interfere with ambulation and can be kept in place while the patient is upright. Hot/Ice and crushed ice must be temporarily discontinued during ambulation. • Regarding cost effectiveness, Hot/Ice is the most expensive, Cryo/Cuff the second and crushed ice is the least expensive.

Key message: More effective post-operative pain reduction and shorter hospital stay was found with the Aircast Cryo/Cuff than with the application of ice only. Additionally, the Cryo/Cuff was less expensive and as effective as Hot/Ice thermal blankets.

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