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Skin surface temperature reduction after cryotherapy to a casted extremity.

Cryotherapy is widely used as standard therapy in the initial management of acute musculoskeletal injuries. Early and more complete recovery in certain acute soft tissue injuries is accomplished through a reduction in inflammation, edema, hematoma formation, and pain. The effectiveness of cryotherapy in acutely casted extremity injuries is unknown. This single subject study demonstrates that a reduction in skin surface temperature occurs after the application of cryotherapy to a casted upper extremity. Conventional short arm plaster and fiberglass casts were fabricated. A series of trials was performed for each in which cold gel packs were applied to the dorsal surface of the cast for 60 minutes. The cast and skin surface temperatures were then recorded at intervals. In both models, a reduction of 3.5 degrees C was recorded at the skin surface after application of cryotherapy. In the former, however, the reduction was noted sooner and lasted longer. Cryotherapy may be of benefit in reducing the temperature and therefore the inflammation, edema, hematoma formation, and pain in certain casted acute upper extremity injuries. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;10(11):448-450.