Nishigami T, et al. - In view of the frequent use of cold therapy on the operated area after surgery as an analgesic and to reduce pain, swelling, and increase range of motion, researchers sought to determine if a pleasant sensation elicited by icing the treated knee or a site distant from the treated site (the hand) influenced the acute effect on pain intensity in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In this prospective, randomized, cross-over study, 37 patients with knee OA who underwent TKA were assessed for 2 days consecutively between days 8 and 15 postoperatively. Patients applied a cold pack for 10 mins on the anterior surface of the treated knee and palm, respectively. Outcomes suggest that in patients after TKA, a pleasant sensation evoked by knee or hand icing influenced the effect on pain intensity during maximal knee flexion. Although knee icing had no influence on pain and did not elicit pleasant sensation, they suggest hand icing as possibly worthwhile to reduce pain.