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Post op. Best ice packs??

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 10/14/2014 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
Shoulder surgery went well. Was doing almost too good it seemed until today i moved wrong but till tolerable and SOOO much better than the last surgery.

Ice is the one thing that really helps, more than meds almost. I have like 4 different packs but bone stay cold and using real ice is a bit too much pressure. Do you pros have any suggestions? May ask doc about the cooler than runs cold water in a pump.

And OMG what I would do to have that nerve block pump back in! I'd use it a whole month if they'd allow.
Dr. Said there was more damage than MRI saw, 2 tears in RC, and my last surgeon tied my bicep tendon in a way current dr couldn't explain but could be the cause for the chronic subluxation and pain. I feel good about the work this dr did.

Sorry getting long-just checking in. Please excuse errors as I'm using my phone
Posted 10/14/2014 9:35 AM (GMT 0)
Ang are you using full on ice or one of the chemical ice packs? I have found making my own with equal alcohol and water and adjusting it enough to get a better mix and form works best. If you use 3/4 alcohol to the water you get a slushy like mix which is more desirable for me, not as cold, more pliable fitting to the area better.

Glad your doing so well.
Posted 10/14/2014 9:56 AM (GMT 0)
I had a dr tell me (not the surgeon) use ice 20 min on and 2 hours off!! Ice helps me so much. Can one actually use it too much?
Posted 10/14/2014 10:13 AM (GMT 0)
If a proper ice pack (as in the gel or chemical sort) is too cold, maybe try a wheat pack that's been in the freezer for a few hours?

If you're sticking to the 20 mins on, 2 hours off - I don't think you can use it "too much" (is that what you meant) - but you certainly shouldn't leave the pack on for more than the 20 minutes in one go as the cold can cause tissue and nerve damage (e.g. frostbite) if you leave it on for too long. Once you're a bit further down the track from your surgery and post-op inflammation and stuff settles more, you might also find that heat helps too - I know this is what I've found after my knee surgeries and various other injuries. Every doctor and physio I've spoken to seems to have a different opinion about what stage you should switch from ice to heat though...I've had everything from a few days to weeks.

Hope things settle for you soon and you're feeling more comfortable again.

Laura
Posted 10/14/2014 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have found that about 5 days out switching back and forth seems to help some better as Laura said you dont want to leave any of them on too long.
Posted 10/14/2014 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
Vickie's suggestion about the alcohol and water is what I was going to say. I love the gel squishy stuff you get from doing that, LOL.

I use bags of frozen vegetables, particularly peas, because they will conform well to the area where you want to put it.

I have this big blue thing that I got at Walgreens, you can put it in the microwave if you want heat or freeze it if you want cold. I like it a lot. I'm sorry I wish I knew what it was called! It's the walgreen's brand though, a big ole blue thingy ...
Posted 10/14/2014 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
I've been using the ice almost constantly. 20 min on, 10-20min off. i can't describe how much it helps. my original question was do u know of a pack that stays cold a long time, too hard to get up needing a new one. also are the ones u talk of making with alcohol any better than the store bought gel ones? its packs with actual ice (like the hospital gave) thst is too hard right now.
have any of u used those cooler machines they sometimes give after knee surgery? really wanting to ask for one...i cannot go 2hrs w/out ice. if skin is protected how can it cause so much problems?

Post Edited (AngMichelle) : 10/14/2014 5:16:05 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/14/2014 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
I think the ones you make are far better then the gel if you can get someone to make you you up some then you have plenty onhand and dont have to wait for one or two to refreeze. You can have as many as you want to put Cheaper too!!
Posted 10/15/2014 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I just had surgery on Thursday & am using this one:
www.walgreens.com/store/c/cryo-max-cold-pack-with-sleeve/id=prod1426831-product

But if that is still too much (make sure that you use the sleeve that comes with it & then still have a heavy shirt between that & the wound dressing for comfort purposes), then what about one of those boo-boo buddies that they make for children?
www.schoolkidshealthcare.com/product/boo-boo-buddy-reusable-cold-packs
They don't seem to get as cold as traditional ice packs & they are softer.

Finally, I sometimes go to the old, cheapy standby and get out a bag of unopened green peas from the freezer. Again, be sure to wrap it in a clean dishtowel or shirt, but it is nice because it kinda conforms to the shape of your body.
Posted 10/15/2014 3:37 AM (GMT 0)

AngMichelle said...
I had a dr tell me (not the surgeon) use ice 20 min on and 2 hours off!! Ice helps me so much. Can one actually use it too much?

Yes, you can use it too much. It can cause permanent damage to the skin and/or nerves if you leave the ice on for too long, especially if the icepack is in direct contact with your skin. I actually had a friend have this happen. She got some kind of frostbite-y thing from leaving ice packs on too long. I don't think the 20 minute thing is a hard-and-fast rule, but you really do need to be careful.

In addition, in my first aid class, they taught us there are usually diminishing returns if you continue to use an ice pack in the same area for more than 20-25 minutes. If you plan to use ice packs for longer, please do check with your doctor/surgeon. My PM cleared me to do 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off as long as I kept the ice pack outside of my shirt & used the cloth pouch that came with it. There are certain things they need to check for to okay that, and then I need to make sure I still have good blood flow, sensation & hydration.
Posted 10/15/2014 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
The cloth-covered ice packs I brought home from the hospital work best for me. Just don't fill them more than halfway with ice, and add a little water! Then they aren't too heavy and will conform to shoulder shape. I haven't seen these very plain ones in stores. Maybe online.
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