Cryotherapy is performed in various situations, such as post operation, rehabilitation, and sports fields. Several studies about Cryotherapy after knee surgeries have been reported, but few reports have evaluated those after shoulder surgeries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on hemorrhage and inflammation after Open Rotator Cuff Repair(ORCR). ORCRs were performed on 19 cases (average age 61.4 years old) from December 2007 to June 2008. Cryotherapy group: 9 cases(7 males/ 2 females) underwent cryotherapy with Icing System CF-3000(5 degrees, 48 hours). The average age was 58.7 years old (range 41 to 71 years old). Control group: 10 cases (8 males/ 2 females) were applied simple dressing to the wound. The average age was 63.8 years old (range 54 to 74 years old). In each group, we took blood samples on the operation day, the next day, and 1, 2, 3 weeks postoperatively, and evaluated hemoglobin(Hb), c-reactive protein(CRP), creatine phosphokinase(CK), and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) levels. There were no significant differences between each group about Hb, CRP, LDH, CK levels. There was no complication, such as frostbite, nerve injury and infection by cryotherapy. There are several reports that cryothrapy has the effect to decrease hemorrhages after knee surgeries. Singh et al.6) reported the effect of cryotherapy after shoulder surgery, decreased the severity of pain and allowed return to normal sleep pattern. There were no differences between Cryotherapy group and Control group, but there was a tendency to decrease CK and CRP levels in the early phase of post operation. We suppose that it suggests the effect of cryotherapy on inflammation. We will investigate adequate measures, such as time and temperature of cryotherapy further.
