Cryotherapy Study Shows Pain Management Gains with Compression

A study originally published in The Journal of Knee Surgery looks at the efficacy of cryotherapy combined with compression in ACL repair cases, versus standard cryotherapy alone. Read the summary.

Cryotherapy is the most commonly accepted and widely used method of treatment to mitigate pain and swelling in patients following ACL surgery. The goal of this controlled trial was to compare subjective and objective patient outcomes following ACL reconstruction with combined compression and cryotherapy in comparison with traditional ice therapy alone. Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction were randomized to cryotherapy/compression device (group 1) or a standardized ice pack (group 2).

The use of combined cryotherapy and compression in the postoperative period after ACL reconstruction results in improved, short-term pain relief and a greater likelihood of independence from narcotic use compared with cryotherapy alone.

Following the trial and data analysis, researchers identified these key results:

  • The use of combined cryotherapy and compression in the postoperative period after ACL reconstruction results in improved, short-term pain relief 
  • The use of combined cryotherapy and compression in the postoperative period after ACL reconstruction also results in a greater likelihood of independence from narcotic use compared with cryotherapy alone
  • Of all patients, 83% of group 1 (cryo + compression) discontinued narcotic use by 6 weeks, compared with only 28% of group 2 (ice only)

Access the full case study: The efficacy of combined cryotherapy and compression compared with cryotherapy alone following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Patient Education Materials Study Shows Gap in Recommended Reading Levels

A recent study looked at the content and quality of online patient education material related to postoperative opioid use in pain management. Read the results in the summary.

Changing Patient Behavior in Disposal of Excess Opioids

A surgical center partnered with a nonprofit agency to study the behavior of patients in disposing of excess opioids prescribed to them following outpatient surgery. Read the summary.

Are Opioids Always Necessary? This Post-op Protocol Study Says Maybe Not.

A recent study (2021) assessed the efficacy of nonopioid pain protocols versus opioid control in mitigating postoperative pain following knee surgery. Read the surprising results in the summary.

Opioid Education’s Impact 2 Years Post Op

Rothman Institute studied the impact of preoperative opioid use education on opioid consumption at a 2 year follow up interval with surgery patients. The study received a 2018 Neer Award.…

Study Finds Optional Opioid Refills Leads to Safer Communities

A recent study examined the impact of prescription instructions on the consumption of opioids by patients following knee surgery. Read the results in the summary.

Meta-analysis Shows Post-op Opioid Consumption Reduction Possible With Right Pain Control Approach

A comprehensive review of multiple studies evaluated the effects of post-op nonopioid adjunct analgesia on postoperative opioid consumption and pain control in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.​​ Read the summary.

Opioid Education Study Proves Knowledge is Power

Researchers assessed the relationship between preoperative opioid use education and consumption by surgical patients. Their findings were published in JAMA. Read the summary.

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