Compression and Cold Therapy on the Post-Operative Shoulder

The Effectiveness of Simultaneous Intermittent Compression and Continuous Cold Therapy on the Post-Operative Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare clinical post-operative outcomes for patients using active cooling and compression device and those using ice bags and elastic wrap after acromioplasty or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient has undergone unilateral Rotator cuff repair or Acromioplasty
• Willing to sign a consent form
• Able to follow study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-ambulatory
• Participation in concurrent investigational protocol
• Any bleeding coagulopathies
• Raynaud's disease or other vasospastic hypersensitivity or circulatory syndromes
• Hypertension (due to secondary vasoconstriction)
• Compromised local circulation (including localized compromise due to multiple surgical procedures)
• A history of vascular impairment (such as frostbite or arterial sclerosis)
• Cold allergy (cold urticaria) or prior adverse reactions to cold application
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Local limb ischemia
• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
• Cryoglobulinemia or any disease that produces a marked cold pressor response
• Inflammatory phlebitis
• Acute inflammations of the veins (thrombophlebitis)
• Decompensated cardiac insufficiency
• Arterial dysregulation
• Erysipelas
• Deep acute venal thrombosis (phlebothrombosis)
• Carcinoma and carcinoma metastasis in the affected extremity
• Decompensated hypertonia
• Pulmonary embolisms
• Congestive heart failure
• Pulmonary edema
• Suspected deep vein thrombosis
• Acute inflammatory skin diseases
• Infection
• Venous or arterial occlusive disease