Effect of cryotherapy after elbow arthrolysis: a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cryotherapy after elbow arthrolysis on elbow pain, blood loss, analgesic consumption, range of motion, and long-term elbow function. DESIGN: Prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=59; 27 women, 32 men) who received elbow arthrolysis. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned into a cryotherapy group (n=31, cryotherapy plus standard care) or a control group (n=28, standard care). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Elbow pain at rest and in motion were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) on postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7 and at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Blood loss and analgesic consumption were recorded postoperatively. Elbow range of motion (ROM) was measured before surgery and on POD 1, POD 7, and 3 months after surgery. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was evaluated preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: VAS scores were significantly lower in the cryotherapy group during the first 7 PODs, both at rest and in motion (P<.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VAS scores at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Less sufentanil was consumed by the cryotherapy group than the control group for pain relief (P<.01). No significant differences were found in blood loss, ROM, and MEPS between the 2 groups (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cryotherapy is effective in relieving pain and reducing analgesic consumption for patients received elbow arthrolysis. The application of cryotherapy will not affect blood loss, ROM, or elbow function.