What is the primary objective of cryotherapy?

• A. Increase tissue temperature
• B. Reduce swelling/edema
• C. Increase bleeding
• D. Improve joint laxity

Answer: (B)

Cryotherapy is used to curb the inflammatory response after an injury by lowering tissue temperature. The primary objective is to reduce swelling and edema. Cooling causes vasoconstriction, which lowers blood flow to the injured area and reduces capillary permeability, limiting fluid leakage into surrounding tissues. By decreasing edema, you relieve pressure, improve function, and create a more favorable environment for healing. You also get analgesia from slowed nerve conduction and a reduced metabolic demand in the injured tissue, which supports the edema-reduction goal.

This approach would not aim to increase tissue temperature, as warming would typically worsen swelling. It also does not aim to increase bleeding; in fact, cryotherapy helps limit bleeding and inflammation. And it does not aim to improve joint laxity—cooling tends to stiffen tissues and reduce ROM, not enhance laxity.