Compressive cryotherapy versus cryotherapy alone in patients undergoing knee surgery: a meta‑analysis

10 randomized controlled trials (n=522 patients) were included in this meta-analysis to synthesize the available evidence evaluating cold compression therapy or cryotherapy alone for the management of postoperative pain and swelling following knee surgery (arthroplasty, ACL reconstruction, and arthroscopy). The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that treatment with cold compression therapy provided significantly reduced pain on postoperative day (POD) 1-3, and girth measurements on POD 1-2 compared to cryotherapy alone. The differences in pain scores were not maintained at postoperative week 1 and 2, and girth measurement differences were no longer significant on POD 3.