CHĂM SÓC GIẢM ĐAU VÀ PHÙ NỀ TRÊN NGƯỜI BỆNH SAU PHẪU THUẬT TÁI TẠO DÂY CHẰNG CHÉO TRƯỚC

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of ice packs in managing pain and swelling in patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Branch 2. Subject and Method: A quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted on 36 patients aged 18 years and older who underwent ACL reconstruction. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and knee edema was measured using a tape measure at the midpoint of the patella (between the upper and lower poles of the patella). After surgery, patients received cold therapy three times a day, each session lasting 30 minutes. Pain and knee edema were evaluated on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3, in the morning, before and after the first cold therapy session of the day, when patients had not yet taken pain medication or undergone physical therapy. Results: Most patients were male, aged 18 to 57, with sports-related injuries accounting for 47.2%, and 41.7% were engaged in intellectual work. After cold therapy, both pain scores and knee edema decreased significantly compared to before cold therapy on all three postoperative days. The most significant pain reduction was observed on postoperative day 1 (1.13 ± 0.71), day 2 (1.14 ± 0.54), and day 3 (1.06 ± 0.41). The differences in pain reduction between days were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Knee edema decreased most significantly on postoperative day 1 (0.16 ± 0.14), day 2 (1.11 ± 0.79), and was lowest on day 3 (0.03 ± 0.05). The differences in knee edema reduction between postoperative days were also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ice packs are effective in managing pain and swelling in patients after ACL reconstruction, helping to improve recovery and reduce hospital stay.