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Background: The use of cryotherapy in the management of acute soft tissue injury is largely based on anecdotal evidence. Preliminary evidence suggests that intermittent cryotherapy applications are most effective at reducing tissue temperature to optimal therapeutic levels. However, its efficacy in treating injured human subjects is not yet known. Objective : To compare the efficacy of an intermittent cryotherapy treatment protocol with a standard cryotherapy treatment protocol in the management of acute ankle sprains. Subjects: Sportsmen (n = 44) and members of the general public (n = 45) with mild/moderate acute ankle sprains. Methods: Subjects were randomly allocated, under strictly controlled double blind conditions, to one of two treatment groups: standard ice application (n = 46) or intermittent ice application (n = 43). The mode of cryotherapy was standardised across groups and consisted of melting iced water (0°C) in a standardised pack. Function, pain, and swelling were recorded at baseline and one, two, three, four, and six weeks after injury. Results: Subjects treated with the intermittent protocol had significantly (p<0.05) less ankle pain on activity than those using a standard 20 minute protocol; however, one week after ankle injury, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of function, swelling, or pain at rest. Conclusion: Intermittent applications may enhance the therapeutic effect of ice in pain relief after acute soft tissue injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In a prospective study over a period of 5 months (July-November, 1982), 506 patients were treated at a District General Hospital for a sports related injury. All the patients were seen initially in the Casualty Department and the majority of attendances (58%) were due to injuries caused by the two principal contact sports--Association and Rugby football. There were 294 patients (58%) aged 21 or less and 45 (9%) were aged 15. The study was intended to provide a summary that would quantify the local problem and assess both the efficacy of the existing system and the need for a specialist sports injury service. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...