AUTHOR=Szabo Stephanie D. , Levine David , Marcellin-Little Denis J. , Sidaway Brian K. , Hofmeister Erik , Urtuzuastegui Erica 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00381

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2020.00381

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> 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.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold>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.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold>20 dogs were enrolled: 10 in the CCT and 10 in the SPB group. Dogs undergoing CCT had more stifle joint flexion (<italic>P</italic> = 0.008) and weight bearing (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001) after surgery than dogs with SPB. MNT after surgery correlated statistically with stifle joint flexion after surgery (<italic>r</italic> = −0.315, <italic>P</italic> = 0.014), extension after surgery (<italic>r</italic> = 0.310, <italic>P</italic> = 0.016), and weight bearing after surgery (<italic>r</italic> = 0.314, <italic>P</italic> = 0.003). Return to normothermia was delayed in the CCT group, with temperatures ~0.5°C (1.0°F) lower 105 (<italic>P</italic> = 0.018) and 120 min (<italic>P</italic> = 0.013) after surgery.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold>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]].</p>