Cryotherapy in Postoperative Shoulder Surgery: A Systematic Review

Cryotherapy, a therapeutic technique involving localized cooling of the body, has gained popularity for postsurgical rehabilitation. It induces a reduction in cellular metabolism, vasoconstriction, and pain relief, making it an attractive option for managing postoperative (PO) shoulder pain. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of cryotherapy in PO shoulder patients, focusing on pain, range of motion, functionality, and temperature changes. The review included six randomized clinical trials, involving a total of 233 patients who underwent various shoulder surgeries. Cryotherapy was applied using different methods, including Cryo/Cuff, Cryoton^®, Polar Care 300, and ice packs. Results indicated that cryotherapy was generally effective in reducing PO shoulder pain. However, one study found no significant difference in pain outcomes between the cryotherapy group and control group. Furthermore, three studies demonstrated a decrease in intra-articular and skin temperatures with cryotherapy application. A risk of bias analysis revealed some concerns in the overall risk of bias for five studies, with one study considered to have a high risk of bias. Although publication bias assessment was not conducted due to the limited number of included studies, it was noted that the studies exhibited heterogeneity in terms of population, intervention methods, and outcome measures. In conclusion, cryotherapy appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment for PO shoulder pain, although the existing evidence has some limitations, including small sample sizes and methodological concerns. More high-quality studies are needed to establish the full extent of cryotherapy's effectiveness in PO shoulder rehabilitation, especially regarding its impact on functionality and range of motion.