Goofy question re: Polar Care Kodiak

[Kimgrif]

Hi all,

My Kodiak arrived yesterday and I can't find the answer to this question. LOL I have the Intelli-flo knee pad, and I need to know if the hose from the pad points from the pad down to my feet or does it point from the pad up towards my body (continuing on to the Kodiak unit itself)? There are no instructions on how one is supposed to put the pad on the knee. LOL An illustration really is worth 1,000 words...

Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

 

[Rowdy66]

Mine has only one way to hook up. The hose goes from the unit to the wrap around pad that holds the cold water. Mine came with velcro straps that wrapped around the pads and allowed me to adjust to the right tightness. Unless you got one that is different they are pretty self explanatory if you lay the stuff out and look at it. I love mine and since I got bilateral knee replacement I got two. I am sure they will be used for many years. Just take your time and you'll figure it out. Good luck. Rowdy

 

[schoust]

Hey guy's I am interested in an upgrade and have good things about this unit! I have been using a cryo Cuff for several years and it is prety beat up now and I honestly would like somthing better. Where did you get it and how much was it?

 

[Kimgrif]

Mine has only one way to hook up. The hose goes from the unit to the wrap around pad that holds the cold water. Mine came with velcro straps that wrapped around the pads and allowed me to adjust to the right tightness. Unless you got one that is different they are pretty self explanatory if you lay the stuff out and look at it. I love mine and since I got bilateral knee replacement I got two. I am sure they will be used for many years. Just take your time and you'll figure it out. Good luck. Rowdy

Yes, I know the hose goes from the unit to the pad that holds the cold water. What I need to know is, "which end is UP" for the knee pad? Which end (the hose end or the non-hose end) of the knee pad goes towards my body and which part goes towards my foot?

I do not know the orientation of the pad on my knee. Does that make more sense? I wish there was a picture of someone actually USING the thing to show how the knee pad goes on the leg.

 

[Kimgrif]

Hey guy's I am intereted in an upgrade and have good things about this unit! I have been using a cryo Cuff for several years and it is prety beat up now and I honestly would like somthing better. Where did you get it and how much was it?

I bought mine on eBay, new in box, for a fraction of what it would cost buying it from a retail store. I'm happy!

 

[schoust]

Hi Kim, does the seller have anymore? Or were you just lucky? If he or she does if you don't mind giving me the info I would appreciate that.
Thanks Ralph

 

[Kimgrif]

Hi Kim, does the seller have anymore? Or were you just lucky? If he or she does if you don't mind giving me the info I would appreciate that.
Thanks Ralph

I think I just got lucky, frankly. If you do a search on eBay for "polar care" you can get a list of what is up on auction. Most of the units up on auction are used, but usually in very good condition. I just got lucky to get one "NIB" or "new in box."

 

[RickB]

It does not matter which way you run the hose. What ever is convient to you. I have a DonJoy and it has been great.

RickB

 

[1jt@atime]

Kim,
I have a Pollar Care and I always use it with the hose going downward since the ice chest sits on the floor and it made sense to do it this way. Otherwise, the hose would have run up into my lap and that wouldn't have been too comfortable. Hope that helps with yours. Karen

 

[Kimgrif]

Thank you! I was just concerned about using the pad "backwards," but it sounds like it doesn't matter, huh?

 

[hess]

Kim,
I too have the Polar Care. I'm 9 weeks out, and I still love my machine!! I, like Karen, have the hose running down my leg towards the cooler. This just seemed correct to me!
Good luck! Hess

 

[gloucesterman]

Do any of our members have any advice to add to these Polar Care machines? I am having TKR on Sept 4th so I need to get on this B4 surgery. I have seen the 300, 500 models any advice would be appreciated. I have several on my e bay watch list...
gloucesterman

 

[beachcomber]

I have the 500 model. I believe it has a larger ice/water capacity than the 300 model. The 500 model when filled lasts for about 8 hours when run constantly, or longer when use is less frequent. We froze ice in small blocks (using Glad plastic containers in the 3 cup size) and that seemed to last longer than cubes. We do not have an ice cube maker in our refrigerator.

The obvious advantage to the 500 is that you fill it less often. If you will be the one to empty/fill it that is a big deal because it is hard to manage it from a walker/crutches.

 

[gloucesterman]

Would a person actually ice for 8 hours continuously? Good point about freezing blocks of ice!!! Much longer lasting than cubes!!
Thanks,
gloucesterman

 

[RickB]

gloucesterman,

The major difference between the 300 & 500, other that the size, is the 500 has a temperture control. I have a DonJoy myself and you might look on Ebay for one of them also. The main reason you would like for the ice to last
between 6-8Hrs is you can set the temp. to 50degreesF for an hour and then turn it up to body temp. for 20 minutes. I believe this is the best way to ice, it works for me.

Rick

 

[beachcomber]

They ran the Polar Care continuously on my knee in the hospital (it was well insulated with ace wrap) and I used it continuously the first few nights home with my leg elevated. So the 8 hour thing was useful to me. (I had no trouble sleeping that way-- lucky me!)

 

[hess]

I wrap my knee with a pillowcase, to help with it getting too cold, then I too fall asleep with it on for 5-6 hours. I love it, and it seems comfortable for me! Good luck with it, it is a GREAT investment.

Hess

 

[1jt@atime]

I have the 300 model and it lasts 6-8 hours and yes, I kept it on that long. I didn't ice at night (except when I couldn't sleep) but did whenever I was awake and in my recliner. It was well worth the $40 I paid for it on ebay. Before making the investment, you might want to check with the hospital to see if they are going to send you home with one. Several on here have gotten their's that way. Karen

 

[gloucesterman]

Hey Karen, I thought of that but the doc I am going to does not prescribe it. Also my ppo insurance is BCBS of Ill and they are really CHEEP and I would be shocked if they would cover any cold therapy. I already had a battle with them that went to the appeal process over my CPM (I won the appeal) after my oxford which subsuquaintley failed!!
I think it is easier to just buy one, so much less stress....
gloucesterman

 

[beachcomber]

My BCBS PPO paid for mine. It was prescribed for use in the hospital---not for home therapy. But once you use it in the hospital it cannot be used for another patient so you can take it home--- or else they throw it away according to the nursing staff.