By Gerald Detty
A common sight on televised sporting events is an athlete with an
ice wrap on an ankle, knee, elbow or other body part. Many of us
who have taken a first aid course know muscle injuries respond to
R.I.C.E., rest, ice, compression and elevation. The use of ice to
treat injuries is an accepted practice in the medical profession
today. We all know it works, but what exactly does it do? Reduce
swelling? Reduce pain? Enhance range of motion? Decrease circulation?
Reduce inflammation? Yes to all of these and much more. Researchers
have found cold therapy has many effects on the body, some of the
mechanisms are understood while others are not. However, there is
no need to delve into the physiological effects of cold therapy to
know that it can be an effective treatment tool for your equine athlete.
Following a few simple guidelines will allow you to treat your partner
safely and effectively.
Ice is probably the most widely used product for cold therapy because
it is easy to obtain. But ice presents its own problems. Wrapping
hard ice cubes against an injured leg can cause sore spots from the
pressure caused by the cubes. As ice melts it can slide down out
of position as well as create a mess on the ground. The most effective
way to apply ice is to break the cubes down into smaller pieces and
wrap them in a wet towel. The wet towel will aid in the even transfer
of the cold to the tissues. You can also apply a compression wrap
over the towel to aid in the reduction of swelling. Remember, however,
that you are dealing with ice and temperatures below freezing. Left
on too long, ice can cause severe tissue damage. Ice should never
be applied for longer than 30 minutes. More than one horse has suffered
frostbite and/or permanent nerve damage due to the application of
ice for too long a period of time.
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The physical therapy field considers therapeutic cold to be 34 – 42
F. Operating in this temperature range eliminates much of the concern
over tissue damage yet is cold enough to achieve the desired results.
Several manufacturers today make reusable gel packs for cold therapy
that operate in this temperature range. These will work just as well
on your equine athlete, too. But do not confuse gel packs with reusable
ice packs which freeze very hard, just like ice cubes. Generally,
these gel packs remain soft and flexible out of the freezer. This
enables you to wrap them around the horse’s leg tightly for
uniform temperature transfer as well as providing compression to
aid in the reduction of swelling. One manufacturer has incorporated
gel packs in an inflatable bladder. Once the unit is zipped on the
leg it is easily inflated to provide cold transfer and compression.
Another useful tool is the portable cold therapy cooler which circulates
water through ice to maintain constant cold. This water is then sent
through cooling pads which can be wrapped around the horse’s
leg. Most units have the ability to treat two legs at a time.
Cold therapy can be used three to four times a day to treat your
equine athlete. However, whether you are using ice, gel packs or
cold therapy units, one rule must be observed, never use cold therapy
for more than 30 minutes at a time.
PRO Versa Cool Equine Pack (pictured above) available at www.proorthopedic.com
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