10-15℃ Hilotherm Cool Therapy
Cool therapy or cryotherapy is well established for sports injuries and after surgery.
After tissue injury there is a release of biochemicals that are mediators of inflammation which make blood vessels dilate and become leakier. This causes swelling and sensitises the tissues to pain. Applying cool therapy inhibits the release of the inflammatory mediators and constricts blood vessels making them less leaky. It has been found that temperatures below 15 degrees causes vessels to dilate and reduces the effect of cool therapy. Maintaining the best temperature over long periods is difficult to achieve with ice-based strategies. The Hilotherm technology controls the temperature in the most therapeutic range.
How does Hilotherm Professionell device work?
The Hilotherm machine is basically a machine to cool water to a specific temperature.
The water is then circulated in small tubes like capillaries around a pad that is applied to the skin over a surgical site. The temperature of the circulating water can be adjusted for comfort. Around the face these special pads are disposable.
The machine requires distilled water in its reservoir to work. The reservoir will be topped up as it is given to you by the practice staff. You should not need to top up the water reservoir but if you do, please only use the water provided in the carry bag.
The practice staff will also attach the special pad onto the machine to check it and show you how to apply it, you should not need to detach the pad. If you do it can be reconnected onto the blue tubes with the click fit connector.
For more information on the Hilotherm and Hilotherapy feel free to visit their website:
www.hilotherapy.com
How many times should Hilotherm be used after surgery?
Most patients will derive significant benefit from the machine in the first 48 hours. After 48 hours there is no new swelling. It is safe and beneficial to be used full time if desired for the first 48 hours. The most benefit is gained by near continuous use in the first 24 hours after surgery.
People will often sleep with the cuff on but during sleep if the patient changes position the tubing can kink and the flow can be obstructed causing the machine to alarm. If this is too interrupting for sleep the machine may need to be discontinued with overnight.
Local pain control of Post operation side is best.
Controlling pain and swelling at the surgical site reduces the reliance on medication. Pain control medications can cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, vomiting and constipation. Hilotherm has been shown to significantly reduce the amount of post-operative pain control medications that patients need to take. Patients who need to take less pain medication recover better and quicker.
AGREEMENT TO HIRE
The use of the machine is an additional cost to the surgery. We will require a credit card in order to hire the machine. A standard rental agreement(link) is for the machine to be returned on day 3 -after surgery, or on the next working day following a weekend or public holiday.
If you wish to keep the machine for longer, please contact our practice. If the machine is kept longer without contacting our practice, then this will incur an additional fee.
Please download and complete the Hilotherm Agreement.
FAQs
Some of the common regarding the The Hilotherm machine.
15 degrees is ideal but the temperature can be adjusted upwards if this is uncomfortable.
Just enough to hold the pads against the skin without tensions. Too much tension can obstruct the circulation of water.
We recommend using it as much as possible for the first 24 hours and then as requested for the next 24 hours.
This is usually because of kinking of the tubing. Reposition the pad and tubing and reset the machine.
This is usually because the patient turns over in sleep and kinks the tubing. If this is problematic the use of the machine may need discontinuing until morning.
Just put the machine back in the cary bag as it is provided, please do not remove the pads. The practice staff will undertake this and prepare it for the next patient.
If the machine does not work there are three main causes of this.
- Kinked Tubing
- Lack of Water
- Electrical Connection
Kinked Tubing
if the tubing becomes kinked and obstructs the flow, the machine will alarm and state it has obstructed flow. Re-position the tubing and reset the machine.
Lack of Water
If the reservoir is empty remove the cap on the top of the machine and fill it up with the provided distilled water, please do not use tap water.
Electrical Connection
If there is an electrical connection problem, check that all the electrical wires are secured and the power is on at the wall. If the problems remain please contact our practice during working hours.
Please return the machine in the cary bag during clinic opening hours which are 8:00am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Enquiries and Appointment Requests
Our surgeons treat conditions, defects, injuries and aesthetic aspects of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face.
