Effectiveness of cryotherapy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Camila Dambros1, Ana Luiza Cabrera Martimbianco1, Luis Otávio Polachini1
1Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) - Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Escola Paulista de Medicina - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate cryotherapy effectiveness in the immediate postoperative period of ACL reconstruction to improve pain and range of motion (ROM) of the knee.
Methods:
This is a pilot study of a prospective and randomized clinical trial. Patients (n=25) were divided into two groups: Intervention (A) group (n=10): patients were submitted to an inpatient physical therapy protocol and received ice compress for 20 minutes, twice a day; Control (B) group (n=9): patients had the same protocol, twice a day. The pain intensity was evaluated with the visual analogic scale (VAS) and range of motion was measured with a goniometer.
Results:
The Intervention (A) group had important absolute and percentual improvement when compared with the Control (B) group regarding measures of pain and knee flexion/extension ROM.
Conclusion:
Cryotherapy in the immediate postoperative period of ACL reconstruction was effective to improve pain and range of motion of the knee. Level of Evidence I, Randomized Clinical Trial .
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