A Nursing-Focused Quasi-Experimental Study on Compressive Cryotherapy for Postoperative Recovery in Knee Arthroscopy Patients

Background: Compressive cryotherapy, which combines cold therapy with compression, has gained attention to relieve pain and swelling after the Knee arthroscopy. However, there is still limited evidence specifically related to its use after knee arthroscopy. Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of compressive cryotherapy in decreasing postoperative pain and swelling in patients following knee arthroscopy. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital. Sixty patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy were divided into two groups. The intervention group (n = 30) received compressive cryotherapy using a cold-pack knee wrap set at 2 to 5 °C for 15 to 20 min, three times daily. The control group (n = 30) received standard postoperative care. Pain was assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale. Swelling was measured by assessing knee circumference at the mid-patella. Assessments occurred immediately after surgery (baseline), and on the first and second postoperative days. Non-parametric tests used in the analysis included the Chi-square test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Friedman test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni–Holm correction. Results: Patients in the compressive cryotherapy group experienced a greater reduction in pain than those in the control group. By the first postoperative day, none of the patients in the intervention group reported severe pain (p < 0.001). Knee circumference decreased significantly in the intervention group, from a median of 51.05 cm [IQR: 49.1–53.2] at baseline to 40.90 cm [39.8–42.1] by the second day. In comparison, the control group showed a smaller reduction, from 52.70 cm [50.8–54.5] to 48.55 cm [46.8–50.9]. Between-group differences in swelling were significant at the first postoperative assessment (U = 105.0, p < 0.001) and on day 2 (U = 62.5, p < 0.001). Overall, differences in both pain intensity and knee swelling between groups were statistically significant across all time points (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Compressive cryotherapy is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain and swelling in the early postoperative period following knee arthroscopy. These results suggest that it could be a valuable addition to routine postoperative care, helping patients recover more comfortably and quickly.