CONTINUOUS-FLOW COLD THERAPY FOR OUTPATIENT ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

This prospective, randomized study evaluated continuous-flow cold ther apy for postoperative pain in outpatient arthroscopic anterior cruciat e ligament (ACL) reconstructions. In group 1, cold therapy was constan t for 3 days then as needed in days 4 through 7. Group 2 had no cold t herapy, Evaluations and diaries were kept at 1, 2, and 8 hours after s urgery, and then daily, Pain was assessed using the VAS and Likert sca les. There were 51 cold and 49 noncold patients included. Continuous p assive movement (CPM) use averaged 54 hours for cold and 41 hours for noncold groups (P =.003), Prone hangs were done for 192 minutes in the cold group and 151 minutes in the noncold group. Motion at 1 week ave raged 5/88 for the cold group and 5/79 the noncold group. The noncold group average visual analog scale (VAS) pain and Likert pain scores we re always greater than the cold group. The noncold group average Vicod in use (Knell, Mt. Olive, NJ) was always greater than the cold group u se (P =.001). Continuous-flow cold therapy lowered VAS and Likert scor es, reduced Vicodin use, increased prone hangs, CPM, and knee flexion. Continuous-flow cold therapy is safe and effective for outpatient ACL reconstruction reducing pain medication requirements.