Cryotherapy is a frequently used therapeutic modality in the treatment of athletic injuries. Peripheral nerve injury can result from the use of cryotherapy and cause temporary disability for the athlete. Six cases of periph eral nerve injury are reviewed. All cases resolved spon taneously. To avoid this complication, one should con sider the location of major peripheral nerves, the thick ness of the overlying subcutaneous fat, and the duration of tissue cooling.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Clark R., Hellon R., Lind A.: Vascular reactions of the human forearm to cold. Clin Sci17: 165-179, 1958
2.
Denny-Brown D., Adams RD, Brenner C., et al: The pathology of injury to nerve induced by cold. J Neuropath Exp Neurol4: 305-323, 1945
3.
Drez D. Jr, Faust DC, Evans JP: Cryotherapy and nerve palsy. Am J Sports Med9: 256-257, 1981
4.
Green GA, Zachewski JE, Jordan SE: A case conference. Peroneal nerve palsy induced by cryotherapy. Physician Sportsmed17(9): 63-70, 1989
5.
Haines J.: A survey of recent developments in cold therapy. Physiotherapy53: 222-229, 1967
6.
Hartviksen K. : Ice therapy in spasticity. Acta Neurol Scand38 (suppl)3: 79-84, 1962
7.
Parker JT, Small NC, Davis DG: Cold induced nerve palsy. Athletic Training18: 76, 1983
8.
Schaumburg H. , Byck R., Herman R., et al: Peripheral nerve damage by cold. Arch Neurol Chicago16: 103-109, 1967
9.
Sunderland S. : Nerve and Nerve Injuries. New York, Churchill Livingstone, 1978, pp 161-164
10.
Trendelenberg W.: Langdauernde Nervenausschaltung mit sicherer Regenerationsfahigkeit. Ztschr f d Ges Exp Med5: 371-374, 1917
11.
Trendelenberg W.: Ueber Langdauernde Nervenausschaltung mit sicherer Regenerationsfahigkeit. Ztschr f d Ges Exp Med7: 251-274, 1918