title: Effect of cryotherapy after elbow arthrolysis: a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of cryotherapy after elbow arthrolysis on elbow pain, blood loss, analgesic consumption, range of motion, and long-term elbow function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (N=59; 27 women, 32 men) who received elbow arthrolysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly assigned into a cryotherapy group (n=31, cryotherapy plus standard care) or a control group (n=28, standard care).
  
  
  METHODS
  Elbow pain at rest and in motion were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) on postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7 and at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Blood loss and analgesic consumption were recorded postoperatively. Elbow range of motion (ROM) was measured before surgery and on POD 1, POD 7, and 3 months after surgery. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was evaluated preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VAS scores were significantly lower in the cryotherapy group during the first 7 PODs, both at rest and in motion (P<.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VAS scores at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Less sufentanil was consumed by the cryotherapy group than the control group for pain relief (P<.01). No significant differences were found in blood loss, ROM, and MEPS between the 2 groups (P>.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cryotherapy is effective in relieving pain and reducing analgesic consumption for patients received elbow arthrolysis. The application of cryotherapy will not affect blood loss, ROM, or elbow function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shi-yang
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: He-de
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: fancunyi@smmail.cn.
authors.forename: Cun-yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
keywords: Cryotherapy; Elbow; Pain; Rehabilitation