title: Enhancing Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Knee Arthroplasty Using a New Cryotherapy Product: A Prospective Study.
abstract: To compare a novel cooling product, Physicool (P, Physicool Ltd, London, England, UK) with a well-established cryotherapy system, Cryocuff (C, Aircast, DJO Global, Vista, California, USA) using pain scores, range of movement (ROM), and cost as outcome measures in the early phase following total knee arthroplasty. We prospectively studied 90 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty by a single surgeon. Following exclusions, 40 patients were recruited to each group. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and ROM before and after application of cooling device was recorded at 24 and 48 hours after surgery. The cost of treatment per patient was also calculated. The VAS were significantly reduced in P on day 1 postsurgery (p = 0.013) and day 2 (p = 0.001) compared to C. A significant increase in ROM was recorded in P at 24 hours (p = 0.004) and at 48 hours (p = 0.009) postsurgery compared to C. The cost benefit of using P over C was approximately £25 per patient. The Physicool system is a safe and effective cooling method for improving pain and ROM in the early postoperative phase following total knee arthroplasty. Furthermore, it offers substantial cost savings.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, London, England.
authors.forename: Aadil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mumith
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pavlou
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Poole Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, England.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thurston
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, England.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garrett
keywords: cryotherapy; pain; range of movement; rehabilitation; total knee arthroplasty