The Efficacy of Cryotherapy in Treating Soft Tissue Injuries: A Review

Cryotherapy has long been employed in the treatment of soft tissue injuries and orthopaedic surgical recovery.

Below, we will provide the evidence supporting its effectiveness, focusing on pain reduction, swelling control, and range of motion improvement.

Cryotherapy Improves Outcomes with Soft Tissue Injury

A systematic review evaluated cryotherapy for soft tissue injuries, using data from databases like MEDLINE, Proquest, and the Cochrane Library (Hubbard, 2004)

The review included 22 trials, rated on the PEDro scale with low scores of 1 to 5 out of 10. Key outcomes like pain, swelling, and range of motion were inconsistently reported.

Main Findings

Cryotherapy was effective in reducing pain and swelling in the immediate post-injury phase but had unclear long-term benefits. Study variations included how cryotherapy was applied and the types of injuries treated.

● Pain Reduction: Continuous applications and combining ice with compression were more effective.

● Swelling Control: Ice submersion with exercise was highly effective but varied compared to other methods.

● Range of Motion: No consistent improvements were noted compared to other treatments.

Conclusion

Cryotherapy appears to be a valuable tool for pain and swelling management in the acute phase of injury treatment. However, its long-term benefits and efficacy compared to other rehabilitation techniques remain uncertain due to the low quality of available evidence.

As a chiropractor in Adelaide, I recommend considering the use of advanced cryotherapy equipment, such as the BTL Cryotherapy machine, which offers precise temperature control and effective pain relief. This ensures a higher standard of care for patients recovering from soft tissue injuries and surgical procedures.

References

1. Hubbard TJ, Denegar CR. Does Cryotherapy Improve Outcomes With Soft Tissue Injury?. J Athl Train. 2004;39(3):278-279.  PMC522152