title: Cold versus cold compression therapy after shoulder arthroscopy: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of a cold compression bandage on pain, swelling and skin-surface temperature after the first 24 h after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder in a stationary setting and to compare it with cold therapy using only a cold pack. It was hypothesized that using the bandage is more effective in reducing pain and swelling after 24 h compared with using only a cold pack.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two patients (53 ± 12.2 years) were randomly assigned to two groups after arthroscopic surgery. The first group wore a cold compression bandage, and the second group a conventional frozen cold pack. Pain, swelling and skin-surface temperature were measured 2, 8 and 24 h after surgery. Differences within and between groups were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups showed a significant reduction of the circumference of the arm 15 and 20 cm proximal of the lateral epicondyle 24 h after surgery (cold compression: p = 0.003; p < 0.001; cold: p < 0.001). Pain at rest was significantly reduced with cold compression bandage 24 h after surgery (p = 0.001). Skin temperature increased in both groups 24 h after surgery (bandage: p < 0.001; cold pack: p = 0.002). After 24 h, pain during activity was significantly decreased in the group wearing the bandage compared with the group using the cold pack (p = 0.026).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the results of this study, no recommendation can be made with respect to the question whether cold compression therapy or cold therapy should be preferred immediately after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder. Clinicians should question the need of expensive cold compression bandages in the short-term post-operative treatment after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder.
  
  
  METHODS
  II.
authors: Funktionsbereich Bewegungsanalytik, Institut für Experimentelle Muskuloskelettale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany. martin.alfuth@hs-niederrhein.de.|Fachbereich Gesundheitswesen (Therapiewissenschaften), Hochschule Niederrhein, Krefeld, Germany. martin.alfuth@hs-niederrhein.de.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Alfuth
authors: Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemeine Orthopädie und Tumororthopädie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Strietzel
authors: Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemeine Orthopädie und Tumororthopädie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Vogler
authors: Funktionsbereich Bewegungsanalytik, Institut für Experimentelle Muskuloskelettale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors: Dieter
authors: D
authors: Rosenbaum
authors: Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemeine Orthopädie und Tumororthopädie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors: Dennis
authors: D
authors: Liem
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D058128:Compression Bandages; D017679:Cryotherapy; D004487:Edema / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Arthroscopic surgery; Bandage; Cold compression therapy; Comparison; Pain; Swelling