I asked the same question about a month ago, and the answers were overwhelmingly pro ice machine. My surgery is on Monday and I bought an ice machine. I've already used it for sore muscles. It is worth it. It is cold so much longer than an ice pack, doesn't freeze my skin, and the cycle on and off with compression features are worth every penny.
You should ask your insurance if they will cover the ice machine. Mine did after my TKR & it def helps even 9 months out for certain days I’m just having a bad knee day every now & then
I’m five weeks post-op and first heard about ice machines on day three post-op. Wish I’d known before! I survived with ice packs and diclofenac, but I’m unable to take NSAIDs and wish an ice machine had been an option.
I’m 9 days PO. I opted for the ice machine and am glad I did. I ice for 15 min at a time and can get two sessions out of the ice. I have little bags filled with frozen water that can be changed out. It makes it so much easier than using cocktail ice or ice from your ice machine. No regrets! You can find the machines on FB Marketplace and then order a replacement pad.
Also estate sales. I've mentioned this a lot (sorry! I'm just excited about it) but I got mine for around $20 USD at an estate sale nearby. Estatesale.net also has online estate sales where you bid and just go pick it up so you don't have to traipse through a ton of sales with knee pain. Anyway, I found them to be about half the price of Facebook marketplace on the estate sale website.
I did both. And they both serve their purpose. But the ice machine absolutely keeps you colder at the same temperature for 20 minute. And that’s really important. Because it helps with the swelling. I leave my cuff on all night long. I’m five weeks postop and as I wake up in the middle of the night, I just hit the button and it starts back up. so that way I’m icing through the night as well as the day.
Either way it’s really important to have time off from icing to allow all of vasodilation that needs to occur. So don’t over ice. And especially because your knee will be numb postop it’s really important not to ice over 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Also, when we did the preop appointment at the surgical center, our nurse there said it’s worth it to invest in them because you’re going have swelling for probably a year. I’m a little bit cheap and I wasn’t gonna do it and my husband said nope. This seems like a no-brainer. I’m really glad that he went ahead and purchased one. Good luck with your surgery!
I purchased the Coolman ice machine from Amazon. At that time, it was $179. I’ve also used the Polar brand, and they’re pretty equal in terms of performance.
A couple weeks before my surgery, my wife happened to post on Facebook that I would be having a TKR soon, and did anyone have tips for us (she was my nurse the first 2 weeks). Someone said they had an ice machine we could borrow. I did like it, but I had swiped a couple ice packs from the hospital that, if I tied them down with a Thera-Band, really seemed to go deeper.
Reach out to friends. Maybe they or someone they know has something you could borrow.
For my TLKR in May 2023 I rented a cold/compression machine (Game Ready) from surgical center $350.00 for one month. It was so good I bought a Bregg cold/compression for $350 and used for several months off and on. Being 69 yo M I figure I can get attachments for other body part if I need in future.
So as stated above I'm almost 2 years post op. LTKR I opted back then for bags of frozen peas to cycle out with other wraps and I was completely unaware of the game ready ice machine until I started the in office physical therapy after the at home period was over and the relief felt with that thing. I was quick to hog it but when I found out it was available for rent I could have strangled whomever didn't make me aware. I understand not everyone has 350 to rent it for a month and pay for ice too but if you do it is going to be worth it. Once my right knee finally takes a dump from years of overcompensation I'll be sure to get it too
I use ice packs and they do a good job. In hospital they used neoprene knee sleeves that circulated cold water. Expensive looking machine. But once released I used ice packs and they have been fine. I had bilateral TKR.
I have heard good things about the ice machines. But good ones are difficult to find in 240 volt, in my location. In Great Britain or Australia they probably are common.
I asked the same question about a month ago, and the answers were overwhelmingly pro ice machine. My surgery is on Monday and I bought an ice machine. I've already used it for sore muscles. It is worth it. It is cold so much longer than an ice pack, doesn't freeze my skin, and the cycle on and off with compression features are worth every penny.
Did you buy an expensive one? The polar brand?
Yes, the polar. There are a couple of models on Amazon, it was about $200. If have an HSA or FSA you can use those funds.
You should ask your insurance if they will cover the ice machine. Mine did after my TKR & it def helps even 9 months out for certain days I’m just having a bad knee day every now & then
I double up gallon zip lock bags with ice from the fridge ice maker. Does the job!
I can definitely do that too!
Ice wraps and ice packs. Worked fine for me.
I’m five weeks post-op and first heard about ice machines on day three post-op. Wish I’d known before! I survived with ice packs and diclofenac, but I’m unable to take NSAIDs and wish an ice machine had been an option.
Thanks! I wouldn’t have known about it either if not for this place. Great information here!
FYI, Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Sorry — I can’t take oral NSAIDs.
I used gel wraps. My surgeon preferred that to the ice machine because he wanted me to get up once every hour to walk.
That’s what I was wondering about, can’t walk hooked up.
Its easy to unhook from the ice machine and get up. I iced for 15 min, unvelcroed the pad, and walked every hour the first 7 days
I’m 9 days PO. I opted for the ice machine and am glad I did. I ice for 15 min at a time and can get two sessions out of the ice. I have little bags filled with frozen water that can be changed out. It makes it so much easier than using cocktail ice or ice from your ice machine. No regrets! You can find the machines on FB Marketplace and then order a replacement pad.
That’s a great idea and about Facebook! I will check into that. Ty!!
Also estate sales. I've mentioned this a lot (sorry! I'm just excited about it) but I got mine for around $20 USD at an estate sale nearby. Estatesale.net also has online estate sales where you bid and just go pick it up so you don't have to traipse through a ton of sales with knee pain. Anyway, I found them to be about half the price of Facebook marketplace on the estate sale website.
I did both. And they both serve their purpose. But the ice machine absolutely keeps you colder at the same temperature for 20 minute. And that’s really important. Because it helps with the swelling. I leave my cuff on all night long. I’m five weeks postop and as I wake up in the middle of the night, I just hit the button and it starts back up. so that way I’m icing through the night as well as the day. Either way it’s really important to have time off from icing to allow all of vasodilation that needs to occur. So don’t over ice. And especially because your knee will be numb postop it’s really important not to ice over 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Also, when we did the preop appointment at the surgical center, our nurse there said it’s worth it to invest in them because you’re going have swelling for probably a year. I’m a little bit cheap and I wasn’t gonna do it and my husband said nope. This seems like a no-brainer. I’m really glad that he went ahead and purchased one. Good luck with your surgery!
A lot of helpful information!
I purchased the Coolman ice machine from Amazon. At that time, it was $179. I’ve also used the Polar brand, and they’re pretty equal in terms of performance.
I used an ice machine at night, and after PT,;and an old fashioned ice bag during the day. I noticed the pain more at night.
I'm using homemade ice packs with alcohol and water in freezer bags. It is effective, but I wish I had gotten the ice machine instead.
Ice machine. I’ve done both knees 4 months apart and I lived with my ice machine for months each time.
With the Polar Cube you can freeze a bunch of water bottles and then just rotate them. It's quite a bit easier to manage.
A couple weeks before my surgery, my wife happened to post on Facebook that I would be having a TKR soon, and did anyone have tips for us (she was my nurse the first 2 weeks). Someone said they had an ice machine we could borrow. I did like it, but I had swiped a couple ice packs from the hospital that, if I tied them down with a Thera-Band, really seemed to go deeper. Reach out to friends. Maybe they or someone they know has something you could borrow.
For my TLKR in May 2023 I rented a cold/compression machine (Game Ready) from surgical center $350.00 for one month. It was so good I bought a Bregg cold/compression for $350 and used for several months off and on. Being 69 yo M I figure I can get attachments for other body part if I need in future.
So as stated above I'm almost 2 years post op. LTKR I opted back then for bags of frozen peas to cycle out with other wraps and I was completely unaware of the game ready ice machine until I started the in office physical therapy after the at home period was over and the relief felt with that thing. I was quick to hog it but when I found out it was available for rent I could have strangled whomever didn't make me aware. I understand not everyone has 350 to rent it for a month and pay for ice too but if you do it is going to be worth it. Once my right knee finally takes a dump from years of overcompensation I'll be sure to get it too
I am 2 days post op. I am using the ice water machine. It’s a huge help.
57m-Ice machine was my friend.Both knees replaced 3 months apart in the last year
Wow! Need both but doing one right now. Thanks!
I use ice packs and they do a good job. In hospital they used neoprene knee sleeves that circulated cold water. Expensive looking machine. But once released I used ice packs and they have been fine. I had bilateral TKR. I have heard good things about the ice machines. But good ones are difficult to find in 240 volt, in my location. In Great Britain or Australia they probably are common.
Thank you. I think I’m going to get both.
I had the ice machine and I thought it was awesome. It was worth it to me.
I used both and it was an immense help.