What's the issue with icing for too long, when used to treat a tendinopathy?
The only issue I am aware of is the risk of frostbite.
E.g. http://www.active.com/running/articles/do-s-and-don-ts-for-icing-injuries:
Don't ice for more than 20 minutes or you'll risk frostbite. If your skin looks red, it's a warning sign you're pushing it. Remove the ice once you feel numbness.
Is there any other issue?
I am asking for three reasons:
- curiosity
- some ice patches tend to get pretty warm after 20 minutes, and doesn't seem to pose a risk of frosbites.
- patients sometime exercise right before sleeping, and may fall asleep during icing. Empirically, it didn't create the frostbite, so I wonder if it's okay.
