Compressive Cold Application Effect on Pain Level in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of compressive cold application on pain and satisfaction in patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) using the Rapid Recovery Protocol.

A randomized controlled trial.

A total of 52 participants were divided into two groups using simple randomization, 26 in the intervention group (compressed cold therapy bandage) and 26 in the control group (cold gel). Cold application with 30 mmHg pressure integration (LM-805 Kifidis) was applied to the patients in the intervention group; patients in the control group only required cold application (ColPac cold gel pack). Both groups were given 9 cold therapy sessions, including postoperative cold application, 20-minute application and 40-minute rest, routine analgesic application, and were followed for 36 hours. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

In all 9 cold applications in the intervention group, VAS scores showed a statistically significant decrease in the first 36 hours and rest periods following the application of physiotherapy sessions (p < .05).

Application of cold therapy with pressure in a standard protocol has been shown to be an effective method for the treatment of acute pain in TKA patients. Patients who received cold and pressure were discharged with lower pain scores. This study may provide the basis for further research on whether compression cryotherapy can provide comparable benefits in other orthopedic surgeries and injury types.

Application of compressive cold therapy after TKA resulted in a decrease in patients' pain scores, indicating that a duration of 20 minutes and a pressure of 30 mmHg may be the most appropriate parameters for this approach.