Effect of cryotherapy after elbow arthrolysis: a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of cryotherapy after elbow arthrolysis on elbow pain, blood loss, analgesic consumption, range of motion, and long-term elbow function.

DESIGN:

Prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study.

SETTING:

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS:

Patients (N=59; 27 women, 32 men) who received elbow arthrolysis.

INTERVENTIONS:

Patients were randomly assigned into a cryotherapy group (n=31, cryotherapy plus standard care) or a control group (n=28, standard care).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Elbow pain at rest and in motion were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) on postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7 and at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Blood loss and analgesic consumption were recorded postoperatively. Elbow range of motion (ROM) was measured before surgery and on POD 1, POD 7, and 3 months after surgery. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was evaluated preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS:

VAS scores were significantly lower in the cryotherapy group during the first 7 PODs, both at rest and in motion (P<.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VAS scores at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Less sufentanil was consumed by the cryotherapy group than the control group for pain relief (P<.01). No significant differences were found in blood loss, ROM, and MEPS between the 2 groups (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Cryotherapy is effective in relieving pain and reducing analgesic consumption for patients received elbow arthrolysis. The application of cryotherapy will not affect blood loss, ROM, or elbow function.

• Authors: Shi-yang Yu, Shuai Chen, He-de Yan, Cun-yi Fan
• Journal: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Arch Phys Med Rehabil) Vol. 96 Issue 1 Pg. 1-6 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1532-821X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25194452 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Analgesics

Topics

• Adult
• Analgesics (administration & dosage)
• Cryotherapy (methods)
• Elbow Joint (surgery)
• Female
• Hospitals, University
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Orthopedic Procedures (rehabilitation)
• Pain (rehabilitation)
• Postoperative Hemorrhage (prevention & control)
• Prospective Studies
• Range of Motion, Articular
• Single-Blind Method