Ice machines for knee replacements?

I used the Neehoo model, allows you to set running time and also pause time. I set mine 20 minutes on and pause 30 min first 3 days. Frozen bottle method best. This model is more expensive than others because of the controls. But there are others less expensive on Amazon. Hope this helps.

I have used my Cryo Cuff for many years. Works great. I like the manual one. No controls. Fill with ice and water and lift it up for gravity feed. Amazon has had them on sale for less than $100. Three right knees and 2 left knees. They also make a cuff for shoulder. Used it on my right shoulder. Almost fool proof and inexpensive.

They used the Cryo Cuff in the hospital and sent it home with me. I can't imagine needing anything fancier. Physical therapy told me to freeze small bottles of water to act as ice and that made it easy to refill, but it stays cold a very long time!

Each knee replacement (3) the hospital sent me home with a machine. I personally liked ice mats from NatraCare. Machines needed to be near outlets and I found the mat more convenient and colder.

I’m curious, for those who go home with an ice machine, who is paying for the machine? Insurance, medicare, the doctor (seems unlikely, but?), yourself as an extra charge on hospital bill, or private payment to doctor or hospital separate from the hospital or doctor’s bill. As they say, nothing in life is free, but it appears some get the machines either in hospial or upon discharge while others are told to purchase them from retailers.

I used NEWGO ice pack available on Amazon around $29. It did the job for me. I wasn’t happy about paying big $$ to rent a machine. My dr. provided an information sheet on one. Then I learned he has a financial interest in it.

I am using Breg Polar Cube which works well and was recommended by a friend who has had knee surgery

I use the one that the hospital sent home with me. I am 6 months out from tkr. I use the frozen bottle method. Works very well.

Thank you for your comments. Probably I'll end up with a combination of ways to ice. I don’t have an ice maker so cold packs and frozen pop bottles will be part of the plan. A friend is saving me some pop bottles to use.

I was a bit curious too, about how it all worked. There were two different doctors doing the TKR at the hospital near me. Before surgery all the patients attended a class covering exercise, procedures, in-home physical therapy, outside physical therapy, etc. It was presented as a treatment package, regardless of what insurance anyone had, and we were just told insurance would cover it. And it did! Walker, commode, shower chair, and more were available on loan for 90 days. The ice machine was sent home to keep. I had $10 co-pays when I extended my PT, but otherwise I only had small charges for medication and a couple of $10 co-pays for follow-up visits. I just now went back and reviewed my "claims" online and it was all there. My insurance was billed directly, so I never saw any billing details.