The Cryocuff is a fantastic bit of physiotherapy equipment we’ve invested in at BOOST PHYSIO. Cryocuff is a cold-compression therapy system that is ideal for treating knee, ankle and foot swelling and pain.
We tend to use it most often post-operatively. For example following total knee replacement, ACL reconstruction surgery, key hole surgery to the knee and post-meniscectomy. For ankle injuries we use Cryocuff to bring down swelling after torn ligaments, fractures and surgery (eg following bunion surgery, achilles tendon repair surgery etc).
What exactly is the Cryocuff system? There are various garments used for the different body parts- ie ankle, knee etc. These are applied by your physiotherapist to the affected area and the the garment is filled with iced water! As the garment fills with the iced water it begins to compress the affected area.
You should be familiar with the acronym RICE which is used in physiotherapy treatment and injury management: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Cryocuff treatment forms a crucial part of the ice and compression of the RICE regime.
Boost Physio in Hendon will apply and use this treatment when appropriate.
I found out today that one of the people we are rehabilitating following her ankle and foot surgery diagnosed her problem from reading my article on UGG foot in our newsletter.
If you don’t know what UGG foot is, I’ll fill you in quickly. Ugg type boots may look very comfy and cosy and good for you, but they don’t support your feet. If you have dropped arches, pronate (that’s when your foot rolls inwards while walking) or very flat footed- wearing ugg type boots for long periods can be very painful and harmful for your feet and ankles. As our patient discovered…
She lives in her Uggs and in flat flip flop sandals. As her foot and ankle pain developed she thought she ought to wear her Uggs more, because she thought they were so good for you. Wrong- they were a big part of her problem.
She finally saw my article after months of trouble- diagnosed herself- but it was too late. She has had to have an operation to repair the tibialis posterior tendon in her foot and ankle because it had been over stretched and torn. A problem that would have been prevented if she’d been wearing better shoes instead of her Uggs and flip flops all the time.
Following excellent surgery and physiotherapy at BOOST PHYSIO she is on her road to recovery.