Cryotherapy for treating soft tissue injuries in sport medicine: a critical review

Review written by Dr. Adam Loiacono info

Key Points

  1. Cryotherapy offers short-term pain relief but does not enhance tissue healing in humans.
All key points available for members only
Start free trial Icon
Or log in here

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Cryotherapy, a widely used treatment in sports medicine, is primarily applied after soft tissue injuries to reduce pain, inflammation, and secondary damage (1-3). Cryotherapy is one of the basic principles of the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and similar iterations (PRICE (Protect+RICE) and Protect, Optimal Loading instead of Rest) taught and applied as a sport medicine standard.

The review's objective was to critically evaluate the evidence supporting cryotherapy's effectiveness, particularly its role in tissue healing and regeneration. The authors sought to determine if human studies support cryotherapy's use beyond short-term pain relief, given that much of the current understanding relies on animal studies. This review aimed to clarify the appropriateness of cryotherapy based on available evidence and highlight its limitations in clinical practice.

Cryotherapy, a widely used treatment in sports medicine, is primarily applied after soft tissue injuries to reduce pain, inflammation, and secondary damage.
bulb
For minor injuries, cryotherapy may still offer some regenerative benefits by limiting the spread of damage and controlling inflammation.

METHODS

  • The authors conducted a systematic review, screening 452 studies from databases such as Medline and Web of Science.
Start free trial Icon
to unlock full access to this review and 1061 more
Or log in here
Trustpilot