What adjustment should be made when applying cryotherapy over a bandage or cast?

What adjustment should be made when applying cryotherapy over a bandage or cast?

• A. Apply for 10-20 minutes, shorter if over bandage or cast
• B. Apply for 10-20 minutes, longer if over bandage or cast
• C. Always apply for at least 60 minutes over bandages
• D. Only use ice packs on bandages

Answer: (B)

When you use cryotherapy, the goal is to cool the underlying tissue enough to help reduce pain and swelling. A bandage or cast acts as insulation, which slows heat transfer from the body to the ice source. Because of this, the same brief cooling period will take longer to achieve the needed tissue cooling, so you should extend the application time when the area is covered by a bandage or cast. Do so while closely watching the skin for signs of overcooling—numbness, pale color, or excessive redness—and stop if any issues arise. The idea isn’t to shorten the time, or to push for very long sessions routinely, but to increase duration appropriately to compensate for the insulating layer.

When you use cryotherapy, the goal is to cool the underlying tissue enough to help reduce pain and swelling. A bandage or cast acts as insulation, which slows heat transfer from the body to the ice source. Because of this, the same brief cooling period will take longer to achieve the needed tissue cooling, so you should extend the application time when the area is covered by a bandage or cast. Do so while closely watching the skin for signs of overcooling—numbness, pale color, or excessive redness—and stop if any issues arise. The idea isn’t to shorten the time, or to push for very long sessions routinely, but to increase duration appropriately to compensate for the insulating layer.