Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of cold compression therapy (CCT) relative to a soft padded bandage (SPB) in dogs undergoing surgery to manage cranial cruciate ligament injury.Methods:Dogs were randomized into groups that received CCT or SPB after surgery. Weight bearing was measured using a weight distribution platform before and the day after surgery. Stifle joint flexion and extension were measured using a goniometer before and the day after surgery. Rectal temperatures were measured every 15 min for 2 h after surgery and the morning after surgery. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) were measured using an algometer the day after surgery. Findings in both groups were compared using a mixed model ANOVA.Results:20 dogs were enrolled: 10 in the CCT and 10 in the SPB group. Dogs undergoing CCT had more stifle joint flexion (P = 0.008) and weight bearing (P < 0.001) after surgery than dogs with SPB. MNT after surgery correlated statistically with stifle joint flexion after surgery (r = −0.315, P = 0.014), extension after surgery (r = 0.310, P = 0.016), and weight bearing after surgery (r = 0.314, P = 0.003). Return to normothermia was delayed in the CCT group, with temperatures ~0.5°C (1.0°F) lower 105 (P = 0.018) and 120 min (P = 0.013) after surgery.Conclusion:Relative to bandaging, CCT had a positive short-term impact on stifle flexion and weight bearing. CCT delayed warming after surgery but dogs were only mildly hypothermic [0.5°C [1.0°F]].
Highlights
Cryotherapy is commonly used postoperatively with the intent to slow tissue metabolism, [1, 2] to decrease edema and pain, [1, 3,4,5] to improve function, [1, 4, 6,7,8,9,10] and to decrease the need for medications [6, 7, 9]
Client-owned dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injury scheduled for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) or tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) surgery were included in the study
Complications were not identified during the study period in any dog
Summary
Cryotherapy is commonly used postoperatively with the intent to slow tissue metabolism, [1, 2] to decrease edema and pain, [1, 3,4,5] to improve function, [1, 4, 6,7,8,9,10] and to decrease the need for medications [6, 7, 9]. Cryotherapy is routinely used, with or without compression, after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. Cryotherapy After Stifle Joint Surgery dogs after stifle joint surgery, cryotherapy was more effective than a soft padded bandage (SPB) in minimizing edema [5]. In a blinded, randomized controlled trial involving dogs undergoing TPLO surgery, 4 sessions cold compression therapy (CCT) over the first 24 h decreased pain, increased range of motion, and improved lameness [4]. In a pilot study of dogs undergoing TPLO surgery, a potential increase in weight bearing was present in dogs after cryotherapy or after CCT, compared to a SPB [13]
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