Method of attenuating swelling or inflammation

1. A method of attenuating swelling or inflammation within the muscle, bone or ligamentous tissue of a patient, the method comprising applying a composition comprising a hydrophilic foam substrate and a hydrophilic agent to a portion of the surface of the skin of the patient in an amount and at a location sufficient to attenuate swelling or inflammation within said tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swelling or inflammation is a response to a noxious stimulus.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swelling or inflammation is a symptom of a disease.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the noxious stimulus is a result of a surgical procedure.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the noxious stimulus is a result of an injury.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic foam comprises the in situ reaction product of an isocyanate-capped polyether prepolymer.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the prepolymer is selected from the group consisting of isocyanate-capped polyether polyols having an isocyanate equivalent weight of from about 0.5 meq/g to about 3.0 meq/g, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic agent is capable of absorbing water.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic agent is polymeric.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic agent is selected from the group consisting of starch grafted copolymers of acrylate salts, starch grafted copolymers of acrylamide salts, polyacrylate salts, and mixtures thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic agent comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, guar gum, pectin, karaya gum, chitosan, agar, acacia powder, carrageenan, gelatin, and mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic agent is incorporated into the foam substrate.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an alcohol.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of water soluble monols, diols and polyhydric alcohols.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, 1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolpropane, sorbitol, pentaerythritol, and mixtures thereof.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the alcohol is incorporated into the foam substrate.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a therapeutic agent.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of soluble collagen, hydrolyzed collagen, collagen amino acids salt free, hydrolyzed animal protein and hyaluronic acid, an ointment including methyl salicylate and menthol and hydrocortisone acetate, polymers with medicinal properties, and trans-retinoic acid.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the therapeutic agent is incorporated into the foam substrate.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a wetting agent.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the wetting agent is a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid esters, glycerol esters, polyglycerol esters, silicone fluids, and mixtures thereof.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the wetting agent is incorporated into the foam substrate.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is a human.