Overview

The Cold-Compression System is the only cold-flow therapy available for craniofacial patients. By providing the maximum benefits of ice during your recovery, Cold- Compression helps to reduce swelling and pain, prevent muscle spasms, and preserve skin elasticity for improved soft tissue healing. Cold-Compression therapy is a simple system that is standard in orthopedic care.

Cold-compression works by compressing the tissue while continuously maintaining an optimal temperature to minimize your pain and swelling. Cryotherapy is a form of therapy in which cold is used to control swelling, inflammation and edema. Simply put, the cold temperature limits the blood supply to the effected area of the body, thereby controlling the swelling, inflammation and PAIN. Traditionally, patients resort to bags of ice or frozen peas that cannot sustain a therapeutic temperature and have to be taken on and off every 30 minutes to prevent tissue damage.

For maximum relief, your Cold-Compression therapy begins shortly after your surgery. You will be fitted in the recovery room or doctor’s office with the simple head wrap and pads. You can wear the system continuously and will take the Cold-Compression System with you. For the first two days after surgery, continuous cold therapy will most effectively reduce your pain and swelling. On the third day, you can alternate between hot and cold for continued pain relief.

This system uses near freezing water circulated through a channeled bladder to deliver the therapy. The bladder is held next to the TMJ area through the use of the Jaw-bra. Due to it's unique construction, the continuous wear of the pad poses no risk of soft tissue damage to the patient. This type of therapy is most effective in the first 48-72 hours following surgery or trauma but can provide pain relief for much longer. This system is, without a doubt, a patient favorite!

The system can also provide heat therapy to reduce pain and relax tissues, by simply using hot tap water instead of ice.

The Cold-Compression System provides post-surgical compression therapy as well as post-surgical cryotherapy. The Cold-Compression is also indicated for conservative treatment. It is manufactured of light weight, comfortable and hypo-allergenic material. The Cold-Compression be used with two plastic zip locked bags into which crushed ice may be placed.

Overview | Benefits | Protocols | Indications | Insurance

Benefits

• Reduces swelling
  
• Alleviates muscle spasms
  
• Stabilizes injured tissues
  
• Soothes and reduces pain for 4-6 hours
  
• Lasts 15 times longer than ice
  
• Augments pain relievers
  
• Easy heat relief with hot water
  
• Safer, smarter, and more convenient than ice

 

Overview | Benefits | Protocols | Indications | Insurance

 

Sample Protocols

Cold-Compression Protocol

• Fill the cooler with ice and water just above the inlet
  
• Or use frozen one liter water bottles instead of ice
  
• Velcro the head wrap into place around your chin
  
• Plug-in the cooler and turn the knob to run the unit
  
• Wear continuously or as directed by your doctor
  

Hot-Cold Compression Protocol

• Begin no sooner than 3 days after surgery
  
• Follow the cold-compression protocol for 30 minutes
  
• Replace ice water with hot tap water
  
• Repeat, alternating between hot and cold every 30 minutes

Overview | Benefits | Protocols | Indications | Insurance

Indications

• Post-surgical Rehabilitation - joint and bone surgeries
• Physical therapy adjunctive care
• Inflammation
• Pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Arthritis
• TMJ/TMD
• Tooth Extraction

Overview | Benefits | Protocols | Indications | Insurance

Insurance

Cold-compression therapy primarily provides enhanced comfort for patients following surgery and is rarely covered by insurance. We provide short-term rentals of the cooler unit to make this treatment affordable.