Riassunto dello studio

106 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive cryotherapy in addition to standard post-operative care (n=53) or standard post-operative care alone (n=53). The primary outcome of interest was pain on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and oxycodone consumption. Secondary outcomes of interest included knee range of motion and circumference, the Timed Up and Go test, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Work Osteoarthritis and Joint-Replacement Questionnaire (WORQ). Assessments were conducted up to 6 weeks post-operation. Results revealed significantly lower pain scores during rest and loading in the cryotherapy group in the first-week post-operation, as well as a lower rate of oxycodone use on days 1, 4 and 6 post-operation. No differences in knee range of motion, knee circumference (swelling), or Timed Up and Go test were observed at 6 weeks post-operation. KOOS pain, KOOS activities of daily living (ADL) and WORQ scores at 2 weeks were in favour of the cryotherapy group; no differences in KOOS or WORQ scores were observed at 6 weeks post-operation.