LknRon wrote:Dr.Kramer told me a few days ago that I didn't need to to ice every hour of the day or wear my jockstrap. But for some reason it makes everything feel better being tight and cold.
I have heard that constant icing is not as good as alternating cold with heat. Warmth promotes circulation (and thus lessens collection of congealed blood and promotes healing oxygenation). Cold lessens the discomfort and swelling.
LookingUp wrote:One Q: would you purchase the Ice Therapy Machine again. Looked like you only used it during Recovery Room. The instant ice-packs are genius. didn't know about them. Thanks.
LU
I found the ice machine to be GREAT for my shoulder surgeries. While at work, they kept my shoulder cooled for much longer than a simple ice pack would and maintained a constant temperature MUCH MUCH better.
There are two different types. One circulates constantly through the cooling pad through two tubes, one going in and the other going out or the cooling pad and ice reservoir. The other sends cooled water into the cooling pad for a few minutes and then lets gravity flow it out back into the (iced) reservoir.
There are also two different design concepts for the water circulation. One has the pump and tubes in the base (which means the tubes and all have to be carried over to the sink to pour out the water from the melted ice). Getting all those tubes and stuff out of the way at the office sink was a pain, especially with a sore shoulder. The other has the pump and tubes in the lid, which means (as I was sitting at my desk) I could ask a kindly co-worker to refresh the ice in the reservoir for me. The drawback is that the lid (with the pickup tube and pump mechanism) sometimes is blocked by a big chunk of ice.
The best design would be based on a cooling pad made of small thermocouple panels. No water/ice to mess with at all.