Szabo SDLevine DMarcellin-Little DJSidaway BKHofmeister EUrtuzuastegui ESteagall P2025-10-222025-10-222020-07-03Szabo SD, Levine D, Marcellin-Little DJ, Sidaway BK, Hofmeister E, Urtuzuastegui E. (2020). Cryotherapy Improves Limb Use But Delays Normothermia Early After Stifle Joint Surgery in Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 7.https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/73711Objective: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of cold compression therapy (CCT) relative to a soft padded bandage (SPB) in dogs undergoing surgery to manage cranial cruciate ligament injury. Methods: Dogs were randomized into groups that received CCT or SPB after surgery. Weight bearing was measured using a weight distribution platform before and the day after surgery. Stifle joint flexion and extension were measured using a goniometer before and the day after surgery. Rectal temperatures were measured every 15 min for 2 h after surgery and the morning after surgery. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) were measured using an algometer the day after surgery. Findings in both groups were compared using a mixed model ANOVA. Results: 20 dogs were enrolled: 10 in the CCT and 10 in the SPB group. Dogs undergoing CCT had more stifle joint flexion (P = 0.008) and weight bearing (P < 0.001) after surgery than dogs with SPB. MNT after surgery correlated statistically with stifle joint flexion after surgery (r = −0.315, P = 0.014), extension after surgery (r = 0.310, P = 0.016), and weight bearing after surgery (r = 0.314, P = 0.003). Return to normothermia was delayed in the CCT group, with temperatures ~0.5°C (1.0°F) lower 105 (P = 0.018) and 120 min (P = 0.013) after surgery. Conclusion: Relative to bandaging, CCT had a positive short-term impact on stifle flexion and weight bearing. CCT delayed warming after surgery but dogs were only mildly hypothermic [0.5°C [1.0°F]].(c) The author/shttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/dogcryotherapystifle jointpressure pain threshold (PPT)weight bearingcanine rehabilitationTPLOJournal article10.3389/fvets.2020.003812297-1769CC BYjournal-article00381