Icing after a TPLO

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

I am preparing a rehab lecture for a local hospital and I am highlighting our rehab protocol for TPLOs. I am concurrently reviewing some literature and am confused about how long the "inflammatory phase of tissue healing is" post surgery. And exactly how long we should recommend icing the stifle before switching to heat. We have been recommending icing 3 times a day for the first week, but I am wondering if perhaps that is not long enough. Any thoughts? Are you icing for a shorter or longer period of time? Or is it based on individual examination?

Thanks for the input,

Alycia Lamb, DVM, CCRT

[Guest guest]

Hi Alycia,So the conventional wisdom taught to me as a PT was that if there is heat, swelling, and/or pain, that Ice is beneficial.Now, as per protocols - should we wish to remove individual examination from the regimen, then the following is documented in human texts:Brotzman SB & Wilk KE (2007). Handbook of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation 2nd ed, Mosby Elsevier.Ice for 20 minutes of every hour for the first 1 - 7 daysIce as needed for swelling control thereafterMagee DJ, Zachazewski JE, Quillen WS (2009). Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. Saunders Elsevier.Week 1 post-op: wearing of a continuous cold unit as much as possibleBrukner P & Khan K (2007). Clinical Sports Medicine, 3rd Ed. McGraw-Hill.Ice every 3 - 5 hours in the acute phase of injury (2 weeks).I hope this helps!Cheers,Laurie Edge-

Laurie Edge-, BScPT, MAnimSt (Animal Physio), CAFCI, CCRTCEO,Four Leg Rehab Inc.Canine Rehab Educational Resourceswww.fourleg.comCheck it out!!

Hello All,

I am preparing a rehab lecture for a local hospital and I am highlighting our rehab protocol for TPLOs. I am concurrently reviewing some literature and am confused about how long the "inflammatory phase of tissue healing is" post surgery. And exactly how long we should recommend icing the stifle before switching to heat. We have been recommending icing 3 times a day for the first week, but I am wondering if perhaps that is not long enough. Any thoughts? Are you icing for a shorter or longer period of time? Or is it based on individual examination?

Thanks for the input,

Alycia Lamb, DVM, CCRT