Effects of the Percutaneous Carbon Dioxide Therapy on Post-surgical and Post-traumatic Hematoma, Edema and Pain

Salvatore Ratano; Biljana Jovanovic; Eric Choudja Ouabo

doi:10.13107/jocr.2023.v13.i12.4058

Effects of the Percutaneous Carbon Dioxide Therapy on Post-surgical and Post-traumatic Hematoma, Edema and Pain

J Orthop Case Rep. 2023 Dec;13(12):11-17. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2023.v13.i12.4058.

Authors

Salvatore Ratano¹, Biljana Jovanovic², Eric Choudja Ouabo²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
² Private Practice, Center of Orthopedic Surgery, Clinique Bois-Cerf, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Abstract

Introduction: Carbon dioxide therapy (CDT) has been used since the Roman Empire to improve the microcirculation and oxygenation of tissues altered. The classical indications are vasculopathies and ischemic diseases.

Hypothesis: The CDT could be effective in favoring joint mobility recovery and pain reduction in patients with post-surgical or post-traumatic hematoma, edema, and pain.

Study design: Case report.

Material and methods: Eight patients were treated once a day for 5-10 days; a single session lasted 50 min. For post-surgical cases, the treatment began the day or the day after they were discharged from the hospital.

Result: For all patients in this series, the CDT has brought clinical benefits in terms of decreasing pain and improving of joint mobility.

Conclusion: The CDT is a safe and effective treatment to provide a greater amount of oxygen to the injured tissues. It favors the healing of post-surgical and post-traumatic hematoma and edema, promoting the mobility recovery of patients.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide therapy; case report; edema; hematoma; mobility recovery; pain.