Relationship Between Intramuscular Temperature and Skin Surface Temperature as Measured by Thermal Imaging Camera

Abstract

Cryotherapy; the application of cold to achieve therapeutic objective, is the most commonly used technique in the acute management of musculoskeletal injuries. Despite superficial application, the deeper tissues are ordinarily the target tissues of cryotherapy. The relationship between skin surface temperature (Tsk) and intra muscular temperature (Tim) are currently poorly understood. Following clinically relevant 15 minute application of crushed ice (CI) to the Rectus Femoris muscle, Tsk data were collected using Non-contact thermal imaging (TI), simultaneously with Tim by thermistor probe. The relationship between the 2 parameter’s was investigated. A strong negative quadratic relationship was established, suggesting that Tim decreased as Tsk increased. The time period following removal of the cold modality should therefore be considered an important part of cryotherapy treatment sessions to achieve full therapeutic benefit.