SUMMARY
Background Studies have shown that the use of cryotherapy after a total knee arthroplasty can have beneficial effect on blood loss, pain and medication usage. In this study, the effect of the applied cryotherapy procedure is investigated.Methods 52 patients underwent a total knee arthroplasty. The test group received continuous cooling, whereas the control group received manual conventional cooling with ice dressing. The knee circumference and range of motion, medication use, satisfaction and pain were investigated.Results There is no statistical significant difference in pain and medication usage. A significant difference is observed in the swelling of the knee on the first postoperative day, the range of motion on the 7th, 10th, 11th and 12th postoperative day, and the satisfaction rate.Conclusion This study shows that continuous cooling has a positive effect on the swelling and range of motion of the knee, and on the satisfaction of the treatment.