Cryotherapy Improves Limb Use But Delays Normothermia Early After Stifle Joint Surgery in Dogs.

Abstract

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.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.20 dogs were enrolled: 10 in the CCT and 10 in the SPB group. Dogs undergoing CCT had more stifle joint flexion (= 0.008) and weight bearing (< 0.001) after surgery than dogs with SPB. MNT after surgery correlated statistically with stifle joint flexion after surgery (= -0.315,= 0.014), extension after surgery (= 0.310,= 0.016), and weight bearing after surgery (= 0.314,= 0.003). Return to normothermia was delayed in the CCT group, with temperatures ~0.5&#xb0;C (1.0&#xb0;F) lower 105 (= 0.018) and 120 min (= 0.013) after surgery.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&#xb0;C [1.0&#xb0;F]].