Ice application is typically continued for how long after the injury?

• A. Continued during the first 24 to 72 hours after injury or until bleeding and capillary leakage have stopped, whichever is longer.
• B. Only for 15 minutes.
• C. For 5 hours continuously.
• D. Indefinitely until the patient feels better.

Answer: (A)

Cryotherapy is used after an acute injury to limit secondary tissue damage by cooling the area, which reduces blood flow, metabolic demand, and edema formation. The best answer reflects the typical acute-phase duration: continue ice during the first 24 to 72 hours after injury or until bleeding and capillary leakage have stopped, whichever is longer. This approach targets the period when swelling and bleeding risk are highest, helping to control inflammation and prevent further edema. In practice, use short cooling cycles (about 10–20 minutes at a time) with a barrier between skin and ice, and reapply as needed while monitoring skin feel and safety. Longer continuous exposure or extending ice indefinitely isn’t appropriate, and very short 15-minute applications or 5 hours straight don’t align with how cryotherapy is used in the acute phase.