Effects of Cold and Compression on Edema

In brief: A 40-minute cooling period was used to treat artificially induced acute inflammatory reactions in human tissue. Results showed no significant change in the volume of the inflammatory reaction at one hour, though a transient attenuation during the first 15 minutes was detected. The addition of mild pressure (10 mm Hg) to mild cooling (range, 15° to 25° C) produced a highly significant reduction in swelling from 15 minutes onward, This effect was sustained as long as swelling was detectable. Pressure alone (20 mm Hg) had a nonsignificant effect. The authors compare two cooling devices, an inflatable cooling cuff and an evaporative bandage, which were both found to be effective. The authors suggest that these devices could be used more routinely in emergency medicine.