The Use of Focal Knee Joint Cryotherapy to Improve Functional Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Review Article

The purpose of this study was to review and synthesize available evidence on the effect of focal knee joint cryotherapy on quadriceps arthrogenic muscle inhibition and to discuss the implications of the findings regarding the use of this modality for patients after a total knee arthroplasty. An electronic literature search that targeted peer reviewed journals was completed by using the PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and OvidSP databases. An article was included when it was determined that the article was relevant to the topic of focal knee joint cryotherapy and its effect on quadriceps muscle function. There were 6 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of the reviewed studies, effect sizes for quadriceps activation ranged from very small to large. Five of the 6 studies observed medium to large effects. Effect sizes for quadriceps torque and force production ranged from no effect to a large effect. Two of the 5 studies with outcome measurements related to quadriceps torque or force production observed medium and large effects. Analysis of this evidence suggests that focal joint cooling of the knee shows the potential to improve quadriceps activation as well as quadriceps torque and force production in patients with arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition of the quadriceps is an impairment commonly observed in patients after a total knee arthroplasty. Analysis of the evidence uncovered in this review suggests that this patient population may be positively impacted by the use of this modality to improve quadriceps activation as well as quadriceps torque and force production.