Cold Therapy Ice Machine
A cold therapy ice machine circulates chilled water through a pad to provide extended cooling after surgery. Use only if it is part of your surgeon's prescribed recovery plan.
Prepared by Recovery ReadyRecovery Ready— physical therapists with 30+ years of experience helping patients prepare for and optimally recover from surgery.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-12
Important considerations
- Do not use without training from your surgical team or home health nurse.
- Stop if skin becomes pale, hardened, or painful numb.
- Avoid using on areas with poor sensation or open wounds unless specifically cleared.
- Follow electrical and water safety instructions; keep cords away from wet floors.
How to use
- Set up the unit on a stable surface near an outlet as instructed in your device guide.
- Fill with ice and water to the marked levels before connecting the pad.
- Place the pad around the surgical area with barriers as your care team directed.
- Turn on the machine and set timer or flow to prescribed settings only.
- End sessions when your schedule says to, and disconnect before sleep unless told otherwise.
- Drain and clean the unit per instructions between uses.
Tips & tricks
- Keep tubing flat to avoid kinks that block flow.
- Check skin every few minutes during early sessions.
- Have extra ice ready if your protocol uses long sessions.
- Store pads clean and dry to prevent odor and mildew.
Good to know
- Motorized cold therapy can deliver consistent cooling without frequent ice pack swaps.
- It is commonly used after ACL reconstruction, knee replacement, and some shoulder surgeries.
- Your team will tell you when to transition to standard ice packs or stop cold therapy.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I run the ice machine each day?▾
Follow the hours-per-day and session length on your surgical protocol. Do not exceed what your surgeon or PT prescribed.
Can I sleep with the cold therapy machine on?▾
Only if your care team explicitly approves overnight use. Many protocols require awake monitoring during sessions.
How long should I run the ice machine each day?
Follow the hours-per-day and session length on your surgical protocol. Do not exceed what your surgeon or PT prescribed.
Can I sleep with the cold therapy machine on?
Only if your care team explicitly approves overnight use. Many protocols require awake monitoring during sessions.