An Alternative to NSAIDs11,12
A Safe Method of Icing
Reducing Risks with ThermoTherapy
NSAIDs and Ice Machines may negatively affect the body's natural recovery and healing. Physicians have even begun to question whether the traditional "RICE" protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) should be recommended13.
With the popularity of ice machines, Dr. Gabe Mirkin who coined the concept of RICE, has begun to caution against too much of a good thing. Still, he continues to recommend a shorter application of ice as supported by the design of ThermoActive ThermoTherapy.
The Risk of Icing
Ice machines can provide intense cold therapy for an extended period. Continuous treatment can cause peripheral blood perfusion, where vessels constrict and slow the flow of healing blood. This hemodynamic fluctuation can lead to nerve damage.
ThermoActive bracing provides therapeutic deep cold for a safe and limited duration. As Dr. Mirkin recommends, ThermoActive braces provide short duration, therapeutic cold. They can be used safely without worry of ice burns that have resulted in a number of class action suits against the manufacturers of ice machines.
The Risks of NSAIDs
It is well known that NSAIDs (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen) can carry the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding as well as perforation of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum11,12
More recent studies suggest that NSAIDs may delay bone healing by inhibiting Cox-1 and Cox-2.11,12
By contrast, ThermoActive ThermoTherapy is a natural anti-inflammatory1-3. It carries no side effects and no risk of gastrointestinal distress or perforations.
The Risks of Pain Medications
Opioid pain medications are a risk to patients and a huge expense to the healthcare system. The Accident Fund Holding found that workplace injuries cost 9X more when narcotics are prescribed. An association between opioids, delayed recovery and the return to work has been identified by the Worker's Compensation Research Institute.
The analgesic properties of cold are well recognized. In clinical studies, hospital-based continuous cold has reduced the use of opiates following Toal Knee Replacement. ThermoActive bracing can go home with the patient to easily provide mobile cold compression during rehabilitation. ThermoTherapy has also been shown to provide and alternative to patients wanting to reduce their consumption of pain medication.
The Risk of Deep Infection and Wound Complication
Deep infection has been categorized as a ‘Hospital Acquired Condition’ that will not be reimbursed by Medicare. Excessive wound drainage is one cause of post-surgical deep infection in total joint replacement patients.
Cold therapy may help physicians reduce adverse post-surgical events like deep infection. Cold has been shown to reduce bleeding6, promote healing7 and keeping wounds cleaner.6,10 ThermoTherapy bracing will not be the primary solution for these issues. But the built-in ThermoTherapy provides a mobile method to maintain the benefits of cold for an outpatient.
The Risk of Bleeding
The use of cold compression in the postoperative period of TKA results in a decrease in blood loss. Simply, cold reduces bleeding.6 ThermoActive bracing is a way to put cold therapy to work as a first response to trauma while on the sidelines at a game. Cold is effective treatment. ThermoActive makes it portable, mobile and fast.
Cold…without the Cord
Cold Machines that provide extended low temperatures have been shown to cause ice burn and frost bite. The Gel Pack has been designed to deliver therapeutic cold that dissipates with use. The brace delivers 20 minutes of therapeutic cold. The temperature slowly rises with use to reduce risk to patients who continue to wear the brace after the recommended therapeutic time.
ThermoActive gentler and slower cooling has the capacity to chill deeper tissue. Raw ice and cold machines are too cold to leave on long enough to affect deep tissue.
ThermoActive braces provide cold without cord…or any other restrictions to mobility.
