TKR What ice machine do you recommend?

[Joeybuck]

I just pulled out of the closet my polar care 300 ice machine which I use for my knee replacement back in 2014.

Here I am in 2024 and need to do my left knee and I forgotten how noisy the polar care was. No wonder I didn’t use it very much.

It has the pump incorporated into the plug. Very loud.

What would be the best ice machine to buy now? It should be quiet as well as functional for properly cooling after TKR

 

[benne68]

Welcome to BoneSmart, @Joeybuck! Do you have a date for your Left TKR yet? If so, please share it so we can create a signature for you. Also, please give us the date of your first TKR.

I'm sure others will come along and share their recommendations, but I'm a big fan of the new BioCryo by ThermX machine, which does NOT need ice to keep the wrap cold. Here's a photo:

I rented mine, since this was my second knee replacement and I'm hoping I won't need it again anytime soon.

 

[benne68]

Even though this is your second TKR, I will share BoneSmart's helpful pre-operative guide here -- it's a lot to read, but I'm sure you will find many of these articles helpful as you prepare for surgery.

Knee Pre-Op Guide

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:
Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic knee?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

Good nutrition is just as important during both the pre-operative period as it is during recovery. Check out this helpful information on Pre-surgery Dietary Tips and on Nutrition Basics.

Regardless of where you are in the process, the website and app My Knee Guide can help you stay organized and informed. The free service keeps all the information pertaining to your surgery and recovery in one place on your smartphone. It is intended to be a personal support tool for the entire process.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:
Stories of amazing knee recoveries

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

So feel free to ask any questions you have about this surgery and recovery; our members will be happy to share their experiences with you.

 

[Joeybuck]

Thank you for your rapid reply and advice. I’m scheduled for surgery on June 27th. I started a post in the June group for surgery.

I had my right TKR on 12/5 /2014. BoneSmart was my go to source for information on the procedure then. And I’ve been catching up and all the changes that have happened in the last 10 years since I’ve scheduled my surgery.

 

[mendogal]

I love my Bregg Polar Ice Cube. Not noisy. And it happily holds four 12 oz frozen water bottles instead of needing to keep getting ice cubes.

 

[russny]

I love the Bregg. Which setting do you use? The colder or less cold?

 

[Ziggy100]

I just pulled out of the closet my polar care 300 ice machine which I use for my knee replacement back in 2014.

Here I am in 2024 and need to do my left knee and I forgotten how noisy the polar care was. No wonder I didn’t use it very much.

It has the pump incorporated into the plug. Very loud.

What would be the best ice machine to buy now? It should be quiet as well as functional for properly cooling after TKR

Cryocuff with the electronic pumper. Some don't have the electronic pumper and you have to empty the water out of the cuff each time you use it. You put small frozen ice water bottles in it and fill with water. Easy to use.

 

[Joeybuck]

After comparing all the options on Amazon, and with the above recommendations, I went ahead and ordered the Breg Kodiak.

it is not available on Amazon, but a number of other vendors sell them.

It looks like it’ll do the job

 

[Joeybuck]

Here are just a couple of bits of information.

I just found out that my healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente in California, sends patients home with an ice machine post surgery. So be sure to check your healthcare provider to see if you might be able to get one for free. I will be getting a “Ice Man” Machine from Apria.

Also I am planning on using an Amazon smart plug to turn my ice machine on or off for whatever interval time I will use it for.

 

[DizzyBlond]

@Joeybuck Is it your understanding that ALL Kaiser patients receive an ice machine? I was just about ready to unpack the one I purchased on Amazon, but maybe I can just send it back for a refund! (Another inquiry to add to the list of questions for my pre-op appt!)

 

[Joeybuck]

My advice would be to contact the person involved with coordinating your surgical procedure and find out who to talk to regards to the ice machine.

All I know is that It is standard procedure for the Kaiser hospital that I will be having my surgery done at.

 

[mendogal]

Yes, when I had my ACL surgery over 20 years ago it was with Kaiser (northern California) and they provided the machine, which needed to be returned.

 

[DizzyBlond]

@mendogal I’ll be interested to see what they might be offering down in my neck of the woods in SoCal. (Holding onto my Amazon purchase just in case!)

 

[Foxmyster1967]

i made my own 60% alcohol and 40% water in them zip up freezer bags... when it freezes its like a slush puppy and they last for ages....hope this helps. and i have a cryo cuff. good luck mate

 

[DizzyBlond]

@Foxmyster1967 Ah, yes…. the alcohol/water bags! I filled my freezer up with them for my hip surgery 8 years ago! I don't know if the ice machines were available back then - I don’t remember hearing about them when I was preparing for that surgery. After reading up on the many benefits of the long-lasting cryo-machines, I’m so happy this is now an option for joint replacement surgery!

 

[FleuveStone]

@Ziggy100 if you or anyone else can help me???

I have an aircast cryocuff IC too, with an electric pumper. It circulates OK but I have to empty the cuff after each use. (I lift the cuff up over the cooler and squeeze before disconnecting. At least my arms are getting a bit of a workout!!!)

Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I'm keeping my elevated knee and the cooler at about the same height as instructed (I think, but I can't find the instructions!).

 

[Nekocarlo]

I am renting a Game Changer and like the fact the wrap is large, it also covers part of the thigh. Also has a compression setting, though not sure how much automatic compression jour surgeon would want you to use in the first week or so after surgery. I am using it after an MUA, so incision is already healed. I believe you need a Dr to order it.

My insurance does not cover it.

 

[Ziggy100]

I think with the cryocuff you have to have the machine higher than your knee as it needs gravity to work. Try that.

 

[Layla]

I read a post of yours in support of another, on their thread the morning.
I like your viewpoint and outlook. It sounds like you're doing well, Joeybuck.
Wishing you all the best as you continue the journey. Happy 4th!
@Joeybuck

 

[Joeybuck]

I appreciate hearing that. It’s certainly not an easy surgery for recovery. But it is easier to face it with a smile then a frown.