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Context: Swelling is a major consequence of musculoskeletal conditions and can be a barrier to healing. Cryotherapy has been reported to decrease swelling. How effective is cryotherapy in reducing swelling during rehabilitation? Methods: PubMed was searched in June 2022 using the Boolean phrases: Swelling OR edema AND cryotherapy OR ice, Swelling AND injury AND cryotherapy. Included articles were published during or after 2017, consisted of one or more cryotherapy interventions, and listed swelling as an outcome measure. The PEDro scale was used to assess study validity. Swelling was measured by the figure-of-eight method (in centimeters). Means, SDs, and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results: Three articles were screened. Stasinopoulos et al. received a score of 9/10; Sari et al. and Tittley et al. received a score of 10/10. Tittley et al. reported a decrease in swelling from 52.7 (SD = 0.8; 95% CI [52.35, 53.05]) to 52.0 (SD = 0.8; 95% CI [51.65, 52.35]). Stasinopoulos et al. reported decreases from 62.62 (SD = 0.34; 95% CI [62.51, 62.80]) to 61.10 (SD = 0.30; 95% CI [60.98, 61.24]). Sari et al. also found minimal change in swelling from pre- to posttreatment, 38.7 (SD = 2.6; 95% CI [37.83, 39.57]) to 38.2 (SD = 2.4; 95% CI [37.40, 39.00]). Conclusion: There is consistent evidence indicating that cryotherapy applied during rehabilitation does not decrease swelling in a patient with a musculoskeletal condition.

Exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) has become prevalent over the last decade after performing spin classes. ER is characterized by the plasma elevation of creatine kinase as a marker of severe muscle damage. This case study highlights a 26-year-old healthy male that suffered from ER after performing their first ever spin class. The acute and chronic management of the ER is described, along with follow-up assessments that tracked the recovery following discharge from the hospital. Symptoms, such as localized swelling with complete loss of mobility and pain disproportionate to soreness, were characteristic in this individual with ER. Examining the concentration of plasma creatine kinase and monitoring urine output and color provided a good measure to determine when to discharge the patient. Management wise, ambulation should be minimized, and complete bed rest is ideal in conjunction with fluid replacement therapy. Although the individual in this case study did not develop compartment syndrome, its occurrence is always a possibility that should be routinely screened for. Lastly, further research is warranted to determine if there are any dietary interventions to promote a steadfast recovery from ER.

The athletic training and nursing professions have similar characteristics regarding workplace environment and challenges with interdependence. Professionals in both fields often face conflict with stakeholders while fulfilling their job responsibilities. Although sources and antecedents of conflict differ somewhat between the professions, the consequences of conflict are nearly identical. Job-related stress, depression and burnout, and interpersonal conflict can take a toll on clinicians’ mental and physical health. Greater efforts must be made to better prepare clinicians to diffuse and resolve conflict. Compared with athletic training, nursing has placed a greater emphasis on developing students’ conflict resolution skills in the professional curriculum. Therefore, athletic training educators and preceptors can learn from nursing education and adopt similar educational experiences for athletic training students. Providing students with tools early on can give them confidence to address conflict promptly and constructively, which may mitigate negative impacts of the conflict on patient care.

Following anterior cruciate ligament rupture, physical activity may be limited due to restrictions placed on the patient while awaiting reconstruction (anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [ACLr]). The purpose of the study was to evaluate aerobic fitness in individuals undergoing ACLr at the time of medical clearance following injury, 6-month post-ACLr, and 12-month post-ACLr. Seventeen individuals participated in the research study to completion (females, n = 6, age = 23.3 ± 5.5 years; males, n = 11, age = 23.2 ± 4.7 years). There were no changes in aerobic fitness from baseline to 12-month postoperative, but due to the length of time between injury and baseline assessments, it is unknown if aerobic deconditioning occurred before the patient was assessed preoperatively.

A 22-year-old male ice hockey player reported days of worsening bilateral upper-extremity weakness, hand tremors, and difficulty grasping his stick. Subjective information included sleeping in a “curled-up” position due to lack of heat in their residence. Provocation tests and imagining studies were positive for thoracic outlet syndrome. Primary treatment focused on decreasing stress on the anterior chest wall while secondary treatment focused on strengthening the posterior thorax to improve posture. Emphasis is given to core stability and scapular mobility. Removal from sport never occurred, but symptom alleviation occurred after 3 weeks. Thoracic outlet syndrome can be resolved quickly if proper recognition and adequate treatment are utilized. Athletic trainers fill a sociomedical role for their patients and should perform patient-centered care rather than tunnel vision on the pathology.