Supplies

[Fatcatlady]

We have an ice machine. My daughter needed it for her 3 knee reconstructions (all before the age of 14) and it worked amazingly. Her first surgeon for her failed right knee didn’t even mention icing. By the second one, the new surgeon recommended the machine, and the difference was night and day. We got it back out for hubbys hip, we did have to order a new pad, although I think the knee pad would probably work. I keep 8 frozen water bottles so I can switch them out, they last about 6-8 hours.

 

[Hipster63]

We have an ice machine. My daughter needed it for her 3 knee reconstructions (all before the age of 14) and it worked amazingly. Her first surgeon for her failed right knee didn’t even mention icing. By the second one, the new surgeon recommended the machine, and the difference was night and day. We got it back out for hubbys hip, we did have to order a new pad, although I think the knee pad would probably work. I keep 8 frozen water bottles so I can switch them out, they last about 6-8 hours.

Can you tell me more how the machine and the hip pad work? I've looked at the ice machines and thought they sounded like a good thing to have. What are the frozen water bottles for? Inside the ice machine? I'm having R hip revision, anterior. Remembering all the months and months of pain I went through on the first surgery, I'll do anything for relief.

 

[Going4fun]

@Hipster63 ... So for the ice machines, you have to add ice to the "bucket" part of the machine and cold water to fill up the bucket ... that can get messy as the ice melts, etc.

Well through trial and error, people have discovered that an efficient and easy way to add "ice" to the bucket part of the machine (which pumps the cold water to a pad on the joint) ... is to use frozen bottles. Like those plastic bottles for bottled water.

Fill 6 to 8 of those with water, freeze them ... then place those frozen bottles in the bucket part of the machine and add water around the edges. People say to not fill up the bottoms to the very top to because the ice will expand.

Apparently the ice lasts longer in the frozen bottles ... When the bottles thaw out, you freeze them again ... and put in bucket again. That's my understanding.

 

[Fatcatlady]

That’s exactly it, the bottles take much longer to thaw and can be re used. Mine fits 5 at a time in the bucket. I add water, and the machine circulates the cold water through a pad, keeping a constant cold but not frozen temperature. Because it’s not as cold as ice, you can keep it going all the time without irritating the tissue. He’s had it on just about non stop, it’s particularly nice after he’s been up and about, or done pt, and he needs less pain meds, which is great because they really stop him up.

 

[InkedMarie]

I was advised to use cool whip containers in my CryoCuffy