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The effect of local cooling on postfracture swelling. A controlled study
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|January 11, 1975
Summary
Cooling rabbit hindlimbs after tibial fracture did not reduce swelling. Instead, cold temperatures (5-15°C) for 24 hours significantly increased swelling, indicating potential harm from cold therapy in orthopedic management.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Trauma management
- Physiology
Background:
- Local cooling is a common modality in orthopedic management.
- The efficacy of cold therapy in reducing post-traumatic swelling requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of local cooling on swelling following tibial fracture in rabbits.
- To determine if specific temperature ranges of cooling can mitigate edema.
Main Methods:
- Rabbit hindlimbs were subjected to tibial fracture.
- Local cooling was applied at temperatures ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.
- Swelling was measured to assess the impact of cooling.
Main Results:
- No observed reduction in swelling with any cooling regimen.
- Temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius significantly increased swelling.
- Increased swelling is attributed to cold-induced ischemia and hyperpermeable vessels.
Conclusions:
- Local cooling, particularly at temperatures of 5-15°C, may exacerbate swelling after tibial fracture.
- Controlled investigations are necessary to validate or refute the use of local cooling in orthopedic patient care.
- Findings suggest a potential detrimental effect of cold ischemia on vascular permeability.