title: Cryotherapy and ankle motion in chronic venous disorders.
abstract: This study compared ankle range of motion (AROM) including dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion and eversion, and venous refill time (VRT) in leg skin inflamed by venous disorders, before and after a new cryotherapy ulcer prevention treatment. Fifty-seven-individuals participated in the randomized clinical trial; 28 in the experimental group and 29 received usual care only. Results revealed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and usual care groups although AROM measures in the experimental group showed a consistent, non-clinically relevant decrease compared to the usual care group except for dorsiflexion. Within treatment group comparisons of VRT results showed a statistically significant increase in both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion for patients with severe VRT in the experimental group (6.9 ± 6.8;p= 0.002 and 5.8 ± 12.6;p= 0.02, respectively). Cryotherapy did not further restrict already compromised AROM, and in some cases, there were minor improvements.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kelechi
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Jane G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zapka
authors.forename: Dana E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: King
keywords: Ankle Range of Motion; Chronic Venous Disorders; Chronic Venous Insufficiency; Cryotherapy; Venous Refill Time