The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 25, Issue 5 , Pages 709-715, August 2010

Cryotherapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty:

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

  • Sam Adie, BSc(Med), MBBS, MSpMed

      Affiliations

    • South West Sydney Clinical School University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Whitlam Orthopaedic Research Centre Liverpool Hospital Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Sam Adie, BSc(Med), MBBS, MSpMed, Orthopaedic Department, Liverpool Hospital Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC NSW Australia 1871.
    • ,
  • Justine M. Naylor, BAppSc, PhD

      Affiliations

    • South West Sydney Clinical School University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Whitlam Orthopaedic Research Centre Liverpool Hospital Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
    • ,
  • Ian A. Harris, MBBS, MMed (Clin Epi), PhD, FRACS

      Affiliations

    • South West Sydney Clinical School University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Whitlam Orthopaedic Research Centre Liverpool Hospital Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia

Received 9 March 2009; accepted 6 July 2009. published online 03 September 2009.

Abstract 

Cryotherapy has theoretical and practical applications in the reduction of pain, swelling, and blood loss after trauma. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of cryotherapy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Eleven studies involving 793 TKAs were included. There was considerable clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Cryotherapy resulted in small benefits in blood loss and discharge knee range of motion. There were no benefits in transfusion and analgesia requirements, pain, swelling, length of stay, and gains in knee range of motion after discharge. Despite some early gains, cryotherapy after TKA yields no apparent lasting benefits. Patient-centered outcomes remain underinvestigated. The current evidence does not support the routine use of cryotherapy after TKA.

Keywords: total knee arthroplasty, cryotherapy, cold therapy, Cryo/Cuff

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 No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

PII: S0883-5403(09)00299-X

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2009.07.010

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 25, Issue 5 , Pages 709-715, August 2010

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