Effectiveness and methods of cryotherapy in reducing swelling after total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review on randomized controlled trials

Yoonyoung Lee; Yong Soon Shin; Hyun Jung Kim; Jiwon An

doi:10.1002/nop2.1906

Effectiveness and methods of cryotherapy in reducing swelling after total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review on randomized controlled trials

Nurs Open. 2023 Sep;10(9):5989-5998. doi: 10.1002/nop2.1906. Epub 2023 Jun 19.

Authors

Yoonyoung Lee¹, Yong Soon Shin², Hyun Jung Kim³, Jiwon An⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nursing, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Korea.
² Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Korea.
³ Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Korea.
⁴ Far East University, Eumseong-gun, Korea.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect and methods of cryotherapy in reducing swelling after total knee arthroplasty.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, KoreaMed, KERIS and National Science Digital Library for randomized controlled trials on 19 August 2021. This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2009 checklist.

Results: A total of eight randomized controlled trials were systematically reviewed to determine the effect and methods of cryotherapy on reducing postoperative swelling. The effects were not significantly different in six studies. Application time per cryotherapy session was 10-20 min when using an ice pack and up to 48 h when using an automated device. The duration ranged from 2 days to 1 week or until discharge, and the frequency varied from 2 to 72 times per day.

Keywords: cryotherapy; evidence-based practice; intervention research; nursing practice; postoperative nursing; swelling; systematic reviews; total knee arthroplasty.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* / adverse effects
Cryotherapy / methods
Edema
Humans
Pain, Postoperative
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic