If you’ve experienced knee pain and want to use something that can alleviate the pain while being in the comfort of your own home, an ice therapy machine could be just what you’re after.
What is The Best Ice Machine for Knee Therapy?
Our top pick is the Ossur Cold Rush Therapy Machine because of how you’re able to use it continuously for up to 6 hours. There are 3 cold level settings that you can choose between that enable you to use the cold level that’s best for your needs. Not to mention, it also operates quietly.
The 5 Best Ice Machines for Knee Therapy (Reviews):
Below, you can learn more about what the best ice machines for knees have to offer. By the end, you’ll be able to pick the machine that stands out to you as being the best.
1. Vive Cold Therapy Ice Machine for Knee
| Weight | 10 lbs |
| Power Supply | Motor |
| Runtime | 30-minute intervals |
Pros
- Contoured knee pad
- Easily portable
- Quiet function
Cons
- Some were hoping it would be colder
- Ice water melts too quickly
The Vive Cold Therapy Machine is incredibly compact which means that you can be sure to have an easy time carrying it around to use while you’re on the move. A carry handle has been fitted which makes it more convenient to transport. In addition to this, we were impressed with how the machine is able to function quietly so that you’re able to avoid disturbing others around you.
Users have been appreciating how the base of the machine is clear as it enables you to see where the water and ice levels are. This makes it simpler for you to fill up the machine with the right amounts of water and ice.
The machine is able to hold up to 6 liters of water and it’s able to provide you with continuous ice treatment for up to 30 minutes continuously.
A large therapy pad is included with the machine which has been made with flexible materials that contour to the natural shape of your knee. As a result, you’re able to wear them comfortably.
They’ve designed the pad with a dimpled design so that the ice is able to be distributed more evenly across your knee. Furthermore, the pad has been made with reinforced seams that prevent leaks and maintain its durability.
2. Polar Products Active Ice Therapy Machine for Knee
| Weight | 6.2 lbs |
| Power Supply | Motor |
| Runtime | 30-minute intervals |
Pros
- Large water reservoir
- Digital timer included
- Leak-proof design
- Quiet function
Cons
- Ice doesn’t stay frozen for long enough
- Velcro for the knee pad wears down quickly
Users have been liking how the Polar Products Active Ice Therapy system is easy to use. All you need to do is fill up the water reservoir and use the digital timer to set the amount of time that you want to have the ice therapy last. You’re able to set the timer to work in blocks of up to 30 minutes at a time.
When it comes to using the digital timer, it’s recommended that you take advice from your doctor on how long the ice therapy machine for. Having the option to use these controls makes it a lot easier to turn the ice therapy machine on and off without having to get up and unplug the machine.
The cooling reservoir that you fill up with water has a capacity of 9 quarts, which means that you won’t have to be filling it up too often.
The pump that’s used for the ice treatment is brushless which means that it’s able to function very quietly. This is a great benefit for people looking to use an ice machine without causing a disturbance to the people around them.
In addition to this, they’ve implemented couplings that make it super easy for you to remove the pad from your knee so that you can move around. These couplings have been made with a leak-proof design as well.
This ice therapy machine is especially useful for people who have had surgery and are looking for a way to reduce the swelling and pain in their knees.
3. Ossur Cold Rush Knee Ice Therapy Machine for Knee
| Weight | 7.2 lbs |
| Power Supply | Motor |
| Runtime | Up to 6 hours |
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Can run for 6 hours continuously
- Cold level settings available
Cons
- Some notice the hose leaks at times
- Tubing is heavier than some would prefer
Ossur’s Cold Rush Therapy System is able to function quietly as a result of the brushless motor that has been fitted. As a result, it only produces a maximum of 30 decibels of sound which is a great feature for ensuring that you can use the machine for long periods of time without disturbing anyone. It also means that you can watch TV and use the cold therapy system and still be able to hear it clearly.
We liked how you can use this cold therapy machine for up to 6 continuous hours. This is a super long period of time that could prove useful for people who require longer sessions of cold therapy for their knees.
One of the reasons why this machine is able to run for so long and keep the water ice cold is because there’s minimal heat transfer given off by the motor.
A knee pad is included that comes with instructions on exactly how to set it up. It has been made with padded materials that are soft and comfortable to wear around your knee for long periods of time.
The machine features controls that allow you to alter how cold you want the therapy to be. You’re able to choose between levels 1,2, and 3 which is superb for letting you select the setting that’s best for your needs.
4. Pain Management Technologies Cryotherapy Ice Machine for Knee
| Weight | 1.2 lbs |
| Power Supply | Motor |
| Runtime | 5 continuous hours |
Pros
- Long leak-proof hose
- Can run for 5 continuous hours
- Auto-shutoff features
Cons
- Pad can become stiff
The hose that’s available with this ice therapy machine is a total of 52” in length which means that you’re able to set it up in a way that’s comfortable for you without feeling restricted. This hose has also been made with a leak-proof design.
A pad is available that you can wrap around your knee securely by using the Velcro strap design. The hose is connected to the pad to ensure that your knee is provided with cold coverage. We were impressed with how the machine is able to circulate cold water for up to 5 continuous hours.
It’s an excellent feature for those in need of cold therapy on their knees for long periods of time. In addition to this, you can set the machine to work in 15-minute intervals where it turns itself off and back on automatically.
If you’ve been experiencing pain and inflammation in your knees, this ice-cold therapy machine could be an effective way to minimize the inflammation and lead to pain relief. The motorized pump sends cool water through the hose and into the pad that you can wrap around your knee. As a result, the blood vessels in the knee are constricted which can lead to reduced swelling.
5. Aircast DonJoy Cold Therapy Ice Machine for Knee
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
| Power Supply | Gravity-fed system |
| Runtime | Up to 8 continuous hours |
Pros
- Compatible with a range of pads
- Can run continuously for 6-8 hours
Cons
- Compression is a little weak
- Not as much water flow is produced
This cold therapy machine by Aircast doesn’t use a motor like most of the other machines do. Instead, there’s a gravity-fed feature that works to pump water up through the hose and provide you with cold therapy benefits.
The cooler is able to hold both water and ice and it can run continuously for up to 8 hours. Therefore, it could be a fantastic choice for people looking to provide their knees with cold therapy for longer periods of time.
We liked how this machine has been designed to be compatible with Arctic Flow, Cryo, and Cuff pads. This provides you with more options to choose from when it comes to selecting the type of pad that you want to use with this machine.
Users have been liking how an instructional manual has been included with this machine. You can follow these instructions to learn how to properly use the machine without any hassle.
FAQs
What is the difference between a normal ice machine and an ice machine for knees?
We have a normal ice machine and an ice machine for knees. The first one is just for cooling down drinks whereas the other one is specifically designed to be used on sore joints.
The ice machine for knees is made from a special material that makes the cold water feel more like a massage than an ice bath. This reduces inflammation and helps with pain relief.
What are the advantages of using an ice machine for knees?
Ice machines are an effective way to reduce the pain and swelling of swollen knees.
There are many advantages to using an ice machine for your knees, including:
-Reducing pain and swelling -Quickly reducing swelling -Faster recovery time
Is an ice machine for knees worth the investment?
Ice machines are a great way to keep your joints and muscles cool and healthy. But they can also be pricey.
The best ice machines are the ones that have the capability to make different shapes of ice, like cubes or spheres. This is why it is important to invest in an ice machine with a wide range of options for you to choose from.
It is worth investing in an ice machine if you are looking for relief from arthritis, joint pain, inflammation, or other injuries that cause stiffness and pain. It is also worth purchasing one if you have a large family or work out regularly at home or at the gym.
How long should you ice a knee?
While many of the ice therapy machines in our review can be used continuously for hours on end, it’s actually recommended that you ice your knee for a maximum of 20 minutes.
That’s why lots of cold therapy machines for knees come with timer intervals of 15 minutes. This is great for providing your knee with enough cold therapy to reduce inflammation and pain while preventing the risk of frostbite.
How often should you ice a knee?
If you feel more comfortable sticking with the recommended duration of time to ice your knee is up to 20-minute intervals, you can repeat the process up to 8 times per day. Be sure to leave some time in between each icing interval so that you can give your skin a break and prevent it from freezing.
How to Use Medical Ice Machine for Knee Therapy?
Using a medical ice machine for your knee after surgery or an injury can be a fantastic way to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain. Depending on the specific model that you choose, there may be slightly different ways that you can use an ice machine for your knee.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to always refer to the instructional manual that’s included with your machine.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to start out by filling up the water reservoir and connecting the tube to the pad. You can then wrap the pad around your knee and switch the machine on.
Some models will come with controls that let you set the duration of time that you want to use cold therapy for. The machine can then automatically turn itself off when the time is up. There are also machines that let you provide your knee with cold therapy in time intervals, as well as the ones where you have to turn the machine off when you’re finished.
Using an Ice Machine for Knee Surgery Vs an Ice Machine for Shoulder Surgery
When it comes to using an ice machine for knee surgery and an ice machine for shoulder surgery, there are many options that enable you to use the device for both. Some machines will come with different pads that you can use to wrap around either your shoulder or your knee to provide it with ice therapy.
There are also other choices that come with a more universal fitting pad that you can wrap around your shoulder and knee.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you’re after an ice machine for knee replacement, surgery, or simply an injury, you can be sure to find a great option from our review above. Hopefully, you can use the information found throughout our review to pick the ice therapy machine for a knee that’s best for you.
This article was last updated on December 13, 2022 .
