傳統理論認為急性創傷後的最初24至48小時才需要冰敷7,然而,這只是簡單的指引。受傷後炎症的嚴重程度及需要冰敷的時間,還需要考慮患者的受傷程度及初期處理方法等因素。PEACE and LOVE當中的P(Protection)就是適當的保護受傷組織,以減少出血,防止繼續拉傷受傷的組織,以致令傷患惡化8。
如果完全靜止休息,有可能會令修補軟組織的力量及質素下降。可是,如在急性期過分使用冰敷,則有機會繼續破壞受傷組織及延長炎症期。有見及此,有一種在慢性期的急性炎症(Acute on Chronic)的說法。一般患者只能從急性炎症的病徵(紅腫痛熱)去分辨是處於急性發炎期,還是已轉變成亞急性或慢性期,所以有時冰敷的建議就不單單是受傷初期的48小時,而是根據病人發炎的症狀,即是還有沒有紅腫痛熱來決定。
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