Samenvatting

Advanced cryotherapy has been widely used in post-op rehabilitation. However, its effectiveness on post-Total Knee Arthroplasty symptoms remains uncertain. Following this procedure, several factors are present in the recovery phase. Pain, swelling, inflammation, reduced range of motion are among them. This review is aimed at the effect of advanced cryotherapy on pain reduction (VAS/NPRS) and on increased knee mobility (ROM).

Evidence supporting the use of advanced cryotherapy post-TKA for pain reduction and ROM improvement is moderate. Three out of the six studies showed statistically significant improvements in the outcome measures. One study supported both the outcomes and found statistically significant evidence in pain reduction (p=0.034) and the ROM increase (p=0.021), while the other two supported just one of the two outcomes.

The limited evidence currently available is insufficient and inconclusive in supporting the use of advanced cryotherapy for the studied outcomes. Further research needs to be conducted with a standardized protocol, a larger sample size and observation of the effects of the long-term use of the treatment.