CLINICAL STUDIES
Third-generation cryotherapy reduces time to surgery and local complications in patients with ankle fractures: a prospective randomised controlled trial
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Received: 21 August 2025
Accepted: 7 December 2025
Published: 14 March 14 2026
Third-generation cryotherapy reduces time to surgery and local complications in patients with ankle fractures: a prospective randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Background
Ankle fractures are common, and cryotherapy is routinely used to reduce pain, swelling and local skin complications, both before and after surgery. The aim of this study is to report the results with the use of pre-operative third-generation cryotherapy (Z-One®, Zamar, Italy) in the management of patients with ankle fractures. We investigated the time to surgery, pain, opioid intake, and local skin complications.
Methods
169 patients with ankle fracture were randomised into two groups, the cryotherapy group (89 patients) and the control group (C: 80 patients). The time-to-surgery, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the analgesic drug demands (Morphine Sulfate 10 mg/ml solution for injection) were recorded. The development of skin complications was assessed on a daily basis. BMI and the number of cigarettes smoked were also recorded.