TKR Dr is not so keen on ice machines.

[DEL2022Jun-25]

I'm only following the instructions from my docs at UCLA. 20 mins on, 40 mins off.

 

[InkedMarie]

20 min on, 40 off......oops. I routinely fell asleep while icing & elevating!

Marie

 

[Bunnyhead]

Thank you so much for the advice. I can definitely use it. Trying to get things I will need and get set up. I have some time but I know it will go fast.

 

[Layla]

Hello Bunnyhead, Happy Sunday to you!
I see you’re in the process of gathering info to set up your recovery nest in preparation of your August 2nd date. Hopefully your pain is manageable.

You will find many good suggestions here as well as helpful advice from those healing ahead of you. Each member can only “suggest what works for them”. The decisions you make for your recovery protocol will fall somewhere in between your surgeon’s recommendations, tips found here and personal preference, sometimes through trial and error. As far as icing goes, others may share what worked for them, which may or may not work for you.

Icing for up to twenty minutes only is what most of us have heard or been advised to do following an injury. Following joint replacement, ice is a critical part of pain management and should be used not only on the joint, but any surrounding areas of discomfort for as often and as long as you're comfortable doing so, always placing fabric between your skin and the ice source. Icing helps bring relief from the soft tissue trauma and internal swelling. Icing is a great natural pain reliever and best of all, it's free. While some care providers do put a maximum time on icing, others suggest you ice as often as you see fit.

Icing after therapy, exercises, or prolonged activity that challenge ROM and endurance should help ease any discomfort, or preventively keep pain at bay. You may find relief through icing for weeks to months post op.

In my personal experience, I iced almost non-stop for the first couple weeks and even frequently thereafter. I fell asleep with an ice pack and switched it out overnight during a bathroom run, routinely half way through the night. I view my recovery as easy and uneventful, thankfully, and I believe icing played a big part in keeping pain at bay.

This is a topic to take up with your surgeon, or his care team in any pre-op informational session you may attend as you prepare for your surgery / recovery. Once you’re post op, you’ll figure out what works best for you as you begin healing.

Wishing you comfort and all things good over the next two months. I hope time flies by for you.
@Bunnyhead

 

[Bunnyhead]

Just got my surgery date for August 2, 2022 and discussing ice machine with my doctor, he said ice packs are good and ice machines are expensive and he worries about people using them too long and damaging the skin. After reading a lot of the posts on here the ice machines seem to make a huge difference and I did already buy one and am planning on using it. Any thoughts, or advice.

My surgery is August 10, 2022. Not August 2. I must have made a typo.

 

[Jockette]

Your August 10 date is in your signature, and correct on the monthly surgery list. Would you like me to edit your post to August 10?

 

[Bunnyhead]

I have the Breg Polar cube...my surgery is August 10th...ltkr.
What size water bottles do others use in their ice machines. Like 16 oz, 10 oz , 8oz?? THANKS