Appointed cryotherapy for the joints does not replace traditional methods of treatment, but it enhances the therapeutic effect and contributes to the improvement of the patient's condition, providing an analgesic and chondroprotective effect. The result of this procedure is the cessation of pain in the joints and slowing down the process of degradation of damaged tissues. Cryotherapy makes it possible to reduce the dose of drugs, and hence their side effects.

What it is?

Cryotherapy is a physical method of treatment, based on the principle of the effect of low temperatures on individual organs or the entire body.

This type of treatment was invented in Japan in the 1970s and gained wide popularity among people with chronic joint diseases. Japanese doctors have found that by exposing the body to excessive cold, patients with rheumatoid arthritis move better and notice a decrease in pain within a few hours. The most common method in cryotherapy to quickly reduce body temperature is the use of gaseous vapors of liquid nitrogen — a colorless, odorless, colorless liquid with a boiling point of -195.8 C.

In some cases, the treatment of joints with nitrogen gives positive results that are not achieved even with the help of drugs. After cold treatment, some people experience immediate relief from pain, while others experience positive effects after a few hours or days. Cryotherapy of the joints is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory procedure in which:

  After this procedure improves metabolism.

• increased blood circulation;
• restoration of microcirculation in tissues;
• the return of elasticity in muscles and ligaments;
• increased immunity;
• improvement of metabolism;
• tonic effect on all functional systems of the body.

How does nitrogen affect?

The human body is a self-adjusting system that responds to a specific situation in response. Even with small dosages of the cold stimulus, it is able to rearrange and launch a series of information mechanisms that include sanogenetic (regenerating) reactions. When the body is exposed to cold, the finest biochemical or physico-chemical processes are activated, causing changes in enzyme-protein cell structures, which, in turn, contributes to the generation of mediators of exchange reactions and enhancement of recovery processes.

It is noted that such a protective physiological response to cooling provides an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect for patients with joint diseases. This happens for the following reasons:

• cold slows down the transmission of nerve signals, leading to pain relief;
• cold temperatures activate the production of chemicals that reduce sensitivity to pain;
• cryotherapy reduces inflammation, which is the main cause of pain.

Indications

  The procedure is effective for osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Treatment with liquid nitrogen is very effective for diseases of the joints. It is considered a low-impact method, helps to recover faster and consolidate the result of treatment. The analgesic effect of the procedure is considered an important factor for its purpose in any form of polyarthritis: acute and chronic, infectious and non-infectious, as well as in the following diseases, such as:

• arthrosis, in particular arthrosis of the knee joint;
• osteoarthritis with and without synovitis;
• damage to the soft periarticular tissues: tendinitis, tenosynovitis, myotendinitis, bursitis;
• ankylosing spondylitis;
• injuries.

Carrying out the procedure

Two types of cryotherapy are used for healing joints:

• General - this is a session of physiotherapy, during which the cold affects the entire surface of the human body.
• Local is the effect of cold specifically on sore spots.

  The duration of general cryotherapy is gradually increased to three minutes.

For treatment in inpatient clinics crystreatments are used, in which the temperature can drop to minus 130-180 degrees Celsius. The critical lowering temperature is set individually for each patient. Before the procedure, the patient puts on his toes and gloves on his hands. The patient settles down in a cabin, and then the stream of liquid nitrogen moves there. The duration of the first session is about 30 seconds. In subsequent procedures, the residence time in the chamber is gradually increased to a maximum of 3 minutes. At home, a stationary cryo unit can be replaced by immersion in a bathroom with cold water, dousing, or bathing in a cold pond.

Cryotherapy implies a short-term effect on the problem area by ultra-low temperatures. In case of meniscus injury, local cryotherapy is most often used, and as a coolant - “dry ice” (carbon dioxide), helium or liquid nitrogen.

The effect of cryotherapy is based on the property of cold to cause sufficiently strong, sharp spasms, followed by persistent dilation of blood vessels. This, in turn, makes it possible to normalize blood circulation and speed up the metabolism in the cells of the problem area, to improve the intake of trace elements, vitamins and amino acids in the tissue. In addition, low temperatures have a positive effect on neurohumoral regulation.

Effects of cryotherapy during rehabilitation after meniscus injury:

• Reduction of inflammation
• Decrease of the knee joint,
• Reduction of pain,
• Improving resorption of hematomas,
• Normalization of blood flow,
• Improving lymph drainage from tissue
• Increased blood flow
• Improved venous outflow
• Reducing effusion inside the joint
• Reduced infiltration.

In addition to these effects, cryotherapy also has a positive effect on the elimination of muscle contractures, improves trophism of joint tissues (both cartilage and bone), stimulates regenerative processes. The use of cryotherapy during the period of rehabilitation after meniscus injury can significantly reduce the duration of the recovery period, as well as reduce the risk of postoperative complications: rheumatism, polyarthritis, chronic joint pain, joint blockage, etc.

During the rehabilitation period, procedures related to cryotherapy can be divided into several stages.

The first stage is carried out in the first days after the operation. The main task of cryotherapy at the first stage is to reduce pain. During this period, the impact does not preclude the use of bandages or fixing devices.

In the second stage, the task of cryotherapy is to contribute to the restoration of the full range of movements in the knee joint, as well as to improve muscle activity. During this period, the bandage is removed from the joint, thereby achieving a more complete effect of cold on the problem area.

At the next stage, the patient, as a rule, returns to the usual way of life, playing sports, etc. The task of cryotherapy is to arrest possible painful manifestations and prevent their recurrence.

Contraindications

Cryotherapy for meniscus injury has its own contraindications. So, resorting to this procedure is not recommended for patients who have serious problems with blood vessels. Diseases such as venous thrombosis and arterial obliteration can be provoking factors for chronic ischemia due to a decrease in the intensity of blood flow (the so-called oxygen starvation). Exposure to cold in this case can only lead to increased oxygen starvation and cause tissue necrosis.

Another contraindication to cryotherapy for meniscus injury is the presence of vasculitis, which is often observed in Raynaud's disease and diabetes. The reasons are similar - a high risk of tissue death due to inadequate supply of nutrients.

Finally, cryotherapy is not administered to patients who are sensitive to cold. In some cases, the use of exposure to low temperatures can lead to the development of an allergic reaction to cold - rash and pain in the joints. Cryotherapy is used with caution in elderly patients, children and patients whose body is weakened by concomitant diseases.

Arthrosis. Getting rid of pain in the joints. Pavel V. Evdokimenko

CRYOTHERAPY - EXPOSURE TO LOCAL COOLING

In recent years, special cryogenic plants have been used for baking diseases of the joints that affect the body with an ultra-low temperature.

There are two main methods of cryotherapy: dry cryotherapy (exposure to ultra-low temperature air, in particular the use of cryosauna), and liquid cryotherapy - exposure to the affected joint with a stream of liquid nitrogen. According to my observations, in cases of joint diseases, liquid cryotherapy is much more effective than exposure to dry cold.

Influencing the affected joint or back with a jet of liquid nitrogen, you can achieve a pronounced response of the body: increase blood circulation and improve metabolism, reduce swelling of the joint, relieve muscle spasm and reduce pain.

The course of treatment includes 8 to 12 procedures carried out daily or every other day.

Liquid nitrogen therapy is especially good in cases of arthrosis of the knee joints, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatic polymyalgia, and a little less severe in rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. This, according to my observations, is the best physiotherapeutic procedure for the treatment of the above diseases.

In addition, by acting with liquid nitrogen on the neck area, you can simultaneously normalize high blood pressure and ease breathing during bronchitis or bronchial asthma (with the exception of cold asthma).

Moreover, with proper exposure, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen has almost no contraindications and can be used to treat the elderly, debilitated patients. It can not be used only with Raynaud's syndrome, some arrhythmias and immediately after a heart attack or stroke. On the other hand, many contraindications to other physiotherapy methods do not apply to cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen: cryotherapy can be used even by those with benign cancers (such as fibroids, mastopathy, etc.) and thyroid diseases (in particular, nodes).

Unlike cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, cryosaunas have less local effects on individual inflamed joints. The area of ​​their application is mainly those articular diseases that require a general effect on the entire body: these are rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis with a total lesion of all joints or with a lesion of a very large group of joints.

At home, alternative cryotherapy of the knee, ankle, elbow joints can be performed with the help of some available tools - ice, cold water and cryo-packs. Of course, the effectiveness of such therapy will be significantly lower than from the effects of ultra-low temperature and liquid nitrogen. But home cryotherapy will certainly bring some benefits. Therefore, below I will talk about several of its options.

First, you can use ice from the freezer. Cooked ice (up to 1 kg), placed in plastic bags, is placed through a thin towel on the affected joint for 10–20 minutes. After the procedure, the joint must knead.

In addition, you can use ice wraps - the so-called method of "wet towels." To do this, a pre-moistened towel is frozen in the freezer for at least 2 to 3 hours, and after that the sore joint is wrapped for 15 to 20 minutes.

You can affect the joint with a stream of ordinary cold tap water. A stream of cold water is directed to the sore joint for three minutes. After this, the joint must be stretched.

At present, cryoapplicators, or cryopackets, of the brand Kryoberg, Pino, Cryogel and a number of other brands have been created and found wide application in home practice. Usually such devices are cheap enough. They can be found in some pharmacies or medical equipment stores.

The main feature of this type of device is the ability to accumulate cold well. Selecting material for placement in cryogenic packages, manufacturers are guided by its thermodynamic characteristics, which allow to accurately dose the intensity of exposure.

Cryopackets with a thickness of 5 to 30 mm with a working temperature of 10 to 20 ° C are often used. They are placed on the sore joint 1 - 2 times a day for an average of 10 minutes. For applications of cryo-packs, one should remember that they cannot be applied directly to the skin; A cryo pack is always laid on a napkin or paper napkin pad.

Any home cryotherapy procedures are carried out daily for 20 to 30 days. To increase the effect of cryotherapy, it is useful to do gymnastics for the diseased joint immediately after the procedure (options for therapeutic exercises will be presented below).

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Traditional medicine recommends using ice for the joints to reduce pain, relieve inflammation, heal injuries and stimulate the immune, nervous and endocrine systems in the fight against ailment. It achieves high results in combination with traditional methods of treatment and in fact has no contraindications. Often used by athletes. It can be carried out independently at home or in a hospital with the use of special equipment.

Benefit and Efficiency

Hardening joints has several advantages:

• improves metabolic processes in the body;
• boosts immunity;
• helps with body pains;
• relieves the symptoms of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• fights inflammation;
• improves blood circulation.

High efficiency of cryotherapy for joints is possible only in the initial stages of the disease.

  A cold bath will help alleviate severe joint pains.

With severe body pain and injury, a cold bath, a compress with ice or snow helps to eliminate the syndrome and alleviate the patient's condition. This technique is not applicable as the only means of dealing with the disease, but is effective in combination with drug treatment options. Lowering the temperature favorably affects the joints, returning mobility to them and making the patient's life easier.

Principle of operation

A sharp cooling of the body causes a burn that passes quickly and does not harm the body. Because of this, blood flow is stimulated and the body's defense system is activated, its reserves are activated. This changes the functionality of hormones, the cold stimulates the balancing of the background and activates the nervous system. When freezing, nerve cells focus on a sudden change in temperature, which is why pain syndrome is removed. Regulates the process of compression and relaxation of blood vessels, which accelerates the regeneration of injured tissue. The effect of cryotherapy is local.

Indications for cold treatment of joints

  This procedure is good for stretching.

• arthrosis;
• arthritis;
• injuries;
• bruises;
• stretching;
• joint cyst;
• rheumatism;
• hygroma;
• polyarthritis;
• puffiness;
• muscle spasm;
• lumbago.

Doctors advise to use short-term freezing (2-3 minutes) in case of pain associated with problems of the joints or skeleton. Inflammatory processes in the patient's body can cause the appointment of cryotherapy. The effectiveness of the procedure is based on the correctness of the technique of execution, therefore, before applying such therapy, you should consult with your doctor.

How is the procedure of cryotherapy?

It is possible to apply freezing independently in house conditions, in that case cold water or ice is used, or in medical offices. You can make compresses with dry snow or frozen liquid, applying it for 3 minutes. in a zone of severe pain. There are special cold machines that allow you to perform cryotherapy at a more professional level. Shoulder joints are treated in medical institutions, where there is a “cold sauna”, the water temperature in which is equal to -150 degrees. It is used no more than 1 time in 2-3 days. The course duration is on average 12 days, but often these are individual indicators.

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Cold therapy is called cryotherapy, and it has long been practiced. Works on medicine, known to us from ancient times, contained a description of the prototype of modern cryotherapy, when the diseased organ was covered with ice and doused with cold water. Japanese rheumatologists have already proved today that low temperature acts on the sore joint as an anesthetic. Gradually reducing the cooling medium, it was possible to get an amazing effect and restore health to incurable patients.

Nowadays, the joints are treated with cold, used for prophylactic purposes, and to strengthen the immune system. Cold includes the hidden resources of the body to help fight the disease.

You will need:

Action of cold on the joint

The action of a very low temperature causes a short-term skin burn, which reflexively affects such systems of the body as immune, endocrine and nervous.

Cold procedures give rise to the stabilization of hormonal levels, urge the activation of metabolic processes, and also connects the protective mechanisms.

Sore joints can also be cured with cold, but only at the initial stage of the disease. After a long time after the onset of pain, it is necessary together with the doctor to identify and eliminate the root cause of the disease with drugs.

Doctors were interested when, in some cases, patients with diseased joints managed to recover without the use of drugs. Doctors noticed that being in frosty conditions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis brings benefits to them. It was found that sustained dulling of pain during inflammation occurs after the sore joint was frozen for a couple of minutes.

Cold sessions should be held every other day. Enough twelve cold treatments to reduce inflammation and eliminate pain.

In a joint prone to the disease, blood circulation and metabolism are restored. Some modern clinics are already equipped with cryosauna rooms. In this way, the shoulder joints and others affected by chronic arthrosis are treated.

Most often, cold medication is used by sports doctors.

Excellent results of treatment allows to achieve the use of a complex effect on diseased joints, when drug treatment is supported by vigorous physical training and cold therapy.

Local cryotherapy is indicated for injuries, in neurology and rheumatology. Now people are convinced of the undoubted usefulness of the treatment of joints with cold.

Recent experiments have supported the evidence of physiologists that a short-term exposure to cold produces a stress protein in the body that protects internal organs from diseases of oncology and ischemia.

So, short-term cold procedures will help to get rid of pain in the joints and back, and in addition, they will warn you against a considerable amount of diseases.

Contraindications

Cold therapy only affected joint does not harm anyone. But the effect of cold on the whole body is harmful for patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease. Some people have a tendency to appear.

To dull the pain in the joints, you can make a cooling pack yourself.

For this you will need:

• Salt 4 tbsp.
• Water 1 l

  4 tablespoons of salt (salt or sea) diluted in water of 1 liter and put in the freezer. After freezing the solution should be crushed. Then one of the pieces is placed in a bag of cellophane and wrapped in cloth. Then you can apply to the sore joint.

Application

Apply a cool pack to the sore joint, the skin on this area should turn pink. And it is natural. When cooled, the vessels dilate and blood rushes to the surface of the skin. After the reddening of the skin, it is necessary to interrupt for 10 minutes and now heat this place. During this small pause, the skin should return to its usual color. Then you need to reapply the refrigerated package until the skin turns red. Having finished a cryotherapy session, it is necessary to provide warming to the sore spot for a long time.

If you want to multiply the effect of cryopacket, you can expand the composition of the solution by adding a decoction of the medicinal plant, honey or clay.