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Treating arthritis with locally applied heat or cold
1Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Medisch Spectrum Twente, The Netherlands.
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Local heat and cold therapy for arthritis show mixed results. While generally easing pain and stiffness, excessive heat can damage joint cartilage, suggesting cold therapy is preferable for inflamed joints.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Arthritis treatment often involves physical modalities like heat and cold.
- The effects of these therapies on joint tissues and function require careful consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific literature on the efficacy of locally applied heat and cold for arthritis treatment.
- To evaluate the impact of these therapies on joint temperature, pain, stiffness, and function.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of experimental studies.
- Inclusion of in vitro, animal, healthy subject, and patient data.
- Analysis of effects on skin, deeper tissues, and joint cavity temperatures.
Main Results:
- Heat generally increases, while cold decreases, tissue and joint temperatures.
- Most studies report beneficial effects of heat and cold on pain, stiffness, and function in inflamed joints.
- In vitro studies indicate higher temperatures accelerate articular cartilage breakdown.
Conclusions:
- Locally applied heat and cold can alleviate arthritis symptoms like pain and stiffness.
- Physical therapy should aim to reduce intraarticular temperature in actively inflamed arthritic joints.
- Cold therapy may be more beneficial than heat for actively inflamed joints due to the risk of cartilage damage from heat.