Injuries Caused By Cold Therapy Devices

Cold therapy is a common method of treatment for tendon and muscle injuries

. The application of ice has many benefits: it can reduce swelling, pain, and muscle spasms. However, prolonged and repetitive exposure to freezing temperatures can have injurious effects to the nerves and tissue.

Cryotherapy Devices

A common method of cryotherapy is an ice cooler. These cryotherapy devices are small chests which the patient fills with ice and water. The cooler is equipped with a motor to circulate the water through plastic tubing and into a plastic pad, which is placed on the affected area. Extremely cold water runs continuously through the pad, and reduces the skin temperature to 1015C.

These ice therapy devices have two significant defects. First, the cryotherapy device lacks a thermostat, preventing the user from maintaining safe temperatures. Without proper controls, the pad can reach temperatures below freezing, severely damaging the skin and tissue. In addition, the coolers contain insufficient instructions regarding use specifically, warnings about the frequency and duration. Patients often believe more is better, subjecting the area to prolonged cold exposure.

Injuries Resulting from Ice Therapy

Even brief ice application can cause paralysis of the nerve fibers and severe frost bite. The affected tissue can appear waxy or discolored, ranging from shades of yellow to a deep black color. However, ice therapy injuries are not limited to the surface of the skin the freezing temperature penetrates into deeper tissues, often causing significant nerve damage.

Cryotherapy Case Study

A 46-year-old woman sustained a right knee injury playing softball. She instantly developed swelling, hypothermia, redness, and pain. Ice therapy was given immediately, and it was repeated 2-3 times each day for nearly five years. Eventually, the patient began to develop multiple skin ulcers. Within five years, the patient had more than 250 blisters on the affected area.

Conclusion

Prolonged and repetitive ice application can cause permanent nerve damage, as well as regional pain and blisters. Two main factors influence the nature and degree of these injuries: temperature and duration of exposure. Cryotherapy devices, lacking temperature controls and adequate instructions, may be responsible for permanent nerve damage and skin injuries due to frost bite.

by: JC White

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