Exam 1 Flashcards
(216 cards)
Why is cryotherapy used?
used to reduce the inflammatory response (pain & swelling) after acute injury and reduce the metabolic demand of the damaged tissues, and reduce muscle activity
What effects do LOCAL cold applications produce?
Local vasoconstriction w/ a reduction in blood flow
Decreased local metabolism and demand for oxygen
Decreased microvascular permeability w/ decreased tissue edema
Slowed nerve conduction velocity
Increase pain threshold
Release of endorphins
Diminished muscle spindle activity
Decreased maximal voluntary muscle torque & rate of peak torque development
Impaired manual dexterity (through increased muscle viscosity)
Stiffened connective tissue; decreased tensile strength
What does a general application of cold mean?
A cold application is applied over a large portion of the body
What effects do GENERAL cold applications produce?
Generalized vasoconstriction in response to cooling of the post. hypothalamus
Slowed respiratory & heart rates
Increased muscle tone accompanied by shivering
Increased metabolism with prolonged applications to produce heat and maintain homeostasis
What are indications for cryotherapy?
Spasticity w/ increased muscle tone Early acute injury or inflammation Chronic painful conditions (RA, osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis, post-surgery) Emergency care for small burns Edema
Name the contraindications for cryotherapy?
Patients w/ angina pectoris or other cardiac dysfunction
Open wounds
Arterial insufficiency (Raynaud’s, atherosclerosis)
Cold urticaria (hives)
Patients w/ preexisting anesthetic skin or inability to communicate
Regenerating peripheral nerves
List the precautions for the use of cryotherapy?
Extremes of age
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Hypersensitivity to ice
Over superficial peripheral nerves over which there is minimal subcutaneous fat
Proprioception & throwing accuracy are diminished following 20 minutes of ice
Recommendations to reduce swelling and metabolism?
Use mild applications
Combine cold applications w/ compression & elevation
Why is cryotherapy contraindicated for older adults and young children?
Older adults = less efficient in generating heat & lose heat more readily
Children = risk of hypothermia is higher
Which disease is triggered by exposure to cold?
Raynaud’s phenomenon
produces pain & decreases finger dexterity
What area of the body must you avoid prolonged ice applications of 20 minutes or greater? What may happen if this occurs? What can be done to minimize the effects?
Superficial peripheral nerves over which there is minimal fat
It may cause never injury and nerve degeneration
If contact is unavoidable increase padding or layer to the cold application
If a patient is hypersensitive to ice what may occur? How can we test for this?
Wheals or hives may result.
Test a small area of skin, if reaction occurs, document the reaction and do not use ice as an intervention
In athletes, what is diminished following 20 minutes of ice application?
Proprioception and throwing accuracy
Joint stability may be affected
Avoid return to play immediately following ice application
Why is cryotherapy contraindicated for application to open wounds?
Because of the vasocontriction produced by cold
Cryotherapy should not be used for the first 48 to 72 hours after injury
Why is cryotherapy contraindicated for patient with arterial insufficiency (atherosclerosis & Raynaud’s disease)
Vasoconstriction diminishes ability to meet oxygen demands of tissues
Why should we avoid a cold application to patients with preexisting anesthetic skin or inability to communicate?
They cannont report when they become anesthetic from cold
What is the difference in temperature that produces anesthesia and temperatures that produce tissue damage?
Anesthesia = 27 degrees C/ 80.6 degrees F
Tissue damage = 10 to 25 degrees C/ 50 to 77 degrees F
In a general cold application the inability to meet myocardial oxygen demands is a contraindication for which patient?
Patient’s with angina pectoris or other cardiac dysfunction
Why is cryotherapy contraindicated for patients with regenerating peripheral nerves
Cold exposure has been shown to produce transmission failures, potentially through depolarization block
Would you use cryotherapy for a patient in need of emergency care for small burns? If so, why?
Yes.
The use of cool water or a moist towel initiated immediately has proved to be effective
Do not use ice
Why is cryotherapy used in early acute injury or inflammation conditions?
Reduce inflammatory response (pain, swelling, muscle guarding)
Reduces arthrogenous muscle inhibition that occurs with intra-articular swelling
How do patient’s with a total knee arthroplasty benefit from cryotherapy?
Experience less pain, analgesic use, and blood loss
Increased ROM with continuously applied cold for 6 days
How do patient’s with chronic painful conditions benefits from cryotherapy?
Reduced pain and stiffness allowing for better movement
How does a cold application benefit patients with muscle spasticity?
Local cooling reduces the excitability of monosynaptic reflexes