Choosing the Right Cold Therapy Unit For Knee Surgery
Cold Therapy For Knee Surgery:
A Guide to the Best Cold Therapy Units For Knee Surgery
There are many things to take into consideration if you are thinking about or have already scheduled your knee surgery. While the surgery itself is obviously a very important aspect of healing your injury, the recovery from the surgery itself also plays a vital role in helping you to feel better. One thing your surgeon is likely to suggest or prescribe to you is to invest in a Cold Therapy Machine. Post-Operative Cold Therapy for Knee Surgery not only helps reduce pain and swelling, but it has also been shown to reduce recovery time to help you get you back on your feet faster.
What Is Cold Therapy?
If you have ever applied a bag of frozen peas to an injury, then you already know what cold therapy is! Cold Therapy, or CryoTherapy, is a method of reducing pain, inflammation, swelling and more by subjecting the body to cold temperatures. This can be done by using an ice pack, ice bath, a cold therapy machine, and yes even frozen peas.
Benefits of Cold Therapy For Knee Surgery
Cold Therapy has many benefits for the body that go beyond healing from injury but for the purposes of this blog post, we will be focusing on the direct benefits of using cold therapy for postoperative treatment from knee surgery.
Cold therapy works by constricting blood vessels in the area of treatment resulting in reduced selling as well as pain due to the numbing effect. Because the blood vessels in the area are constricted, it allows for higher blood flow to the body’s vital organs and a reduction of toxins in the blood. As a result, inflammation, swelling, nerve activity, pain, as well as overall recovery time are greatly reduced.
Cold Compression For Knee Surgery
In addition to Cold Therapy for knee surgery, there is another very important aspect for healing from knee surgery: compression. Targeted compression therapy is helpful when recovering from knee surgery as it also helps to minimize swelling. When the affected area is compressed, it helps to remove fluid buildup in the area which reduces overall inflammation in the area.
While some cold therapy machines have a specific compression component such as the Game Ready and Breg Wave, all cold therapy units will provide some level of compression depending on how the pad is applied.
How Does A Cold Therapy Unit Work?
Cold Therapy Machines typically look like small coolers - because they are! They come with a hose and attachable pad that is wrapped around the area in need of treatment. Once the machine is turned on, it distributes the cold water from the cooler into the pad.
There are many different types of Cold Therapy Units. Some rely on gravity to distribute the water into the pad, while others have a motor which allows for continuous circulation of water in and out of the pad.
Typically, certain units are better for different areas of the body dispensing on their pad sizing, run time, flow control, etc. Here are our top picks for Cold Therapy Machines for Knee Surgery Recovery:
The Best Cold Therapy Units For Knee Surgery
Our Top Pick for Best Cold Cold Therapy Unit for Knee Surgery:
Breg Polar Care Wave Cold Compression Unit
With two knee pad sizes and an added compression component, the Breg Polar Care Wave is our top choice for Cold Therapy Units for knee surgery. With adjustable flow control and levels of compression, the Breg Wave Unit is effective in reducing both pain and swelling post knee surgery. Additionally, it’s compact size, quiet motor, optional Y-connector for bilateral treatment, and affordable price make it a convenient and effective cold compression unit for post-operative knee surgery recovery.
Get it here starting at $249.00
Best Cold Therapy On A Budget:
Breg Polar Care Kodiak Cold Therapy Unit
The Breg Polar Care Kodiak Cold Therapy Unit is one of our top picks for good reason. With it’s extended run time of 8-10 hours, high flow rate, optional battery pack and quiet motor, the Kodiak Cold Therapy Unit truly gives you a bang for your buck.
Although the Kodiak unit does not have a compression component, this unit features a knee pad with a closed patella which offers superior coverage to many other cold therapy units.
Get it here starting at $159.99.
The Best Cold Compression Therapy On A Budget:
Aircast Cryo Cuff Motorized IC Cooler
We love this unit for its simplicity and it’s effectiveness. The Aircast Cryo Cuff IC Cooler provided intermittent cold therapy and compression without the high price tag, giving you the best of both worlds. With two knee pad size options and budget friendly cost, the Cryo Cuff offers excellent coverage and treatment that won't break the bank.
Get it here starting at $113.49
The Best Cold Therapy For Professionals:
Game Ready Cold Compression Unit
A top choice for Physical Therapists and Professional Athletes, The Game Ready Ice Machine uses ACCEL technology to circulate cold water and intermittent compression giving patients top of the line treatment for swelling and pain. The Game Ready cold therapy unit features adjustable flow control, compression and run time to allow for complete custom therapy to meet each individual’s specific needs.
While the Game Ready Unit may have a much higher sticker price than the other options, it’s efficacy is unmatched. Featuring an optional battery pack, carrying case, dual pad connector, and a 1 year warranty the Game Ready Unit provides everything you’ll need for a quick recovery from knee surgery.
Get it here starting at $2755.00
No matter what your needs and budget are, there is a cold therapy unit for you. Recovering from knee surgery can be an uncomfortable experience, but the use of a cold therapy machine will help reduce your pain and swelling, while also helping to speed up your recovery time so that you can start feeling better, sooner.
References:
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=95
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