Circulating Cold Water Therapy Kit Gen 2 – Ice Machine with Universal Pad 3-Strap Wrap and 4 Cold Cubes (Arctic Ice Clear Kit)

Bought prior to knee replacement. Worked perfectly from day one. The 4 cubes that come with it work great. We use a combination of small frozen water bottles, one of the 4 frozen cubes, and ice cubes. We found a Rubbermaid tub that the unit fits inside of. We stuffed the space between the unit and the tub interior with a few kitchen size towels. My husband would set it up for me at 7 am and I would use it all day until he came home from work and reloaded it in the evening. I was very impressed with how many 90 minute sessions I could do in that timeframe. We had a small hard plastic laundry basket that we turned upside down and used as a table for the Rubbermaid tub setup. This also helps me to be able to easily reach the machine while in my recliner. We kept the hoses parallel to the foot of my recliner. So with the unit elevated and the hoses level the unit did not have to pump the water against gravity. I feel like this is key to good water flow. The water, ice, frozen bottles combo provided excellent pain relief. I would not want to go through this surgery without this unit.

This item is easy to use and works great. My husband had shoulder replacement surgery and it was a lifesaver. I found the hoses hard to push on so I used some coconut oil and rubbed it on the O-rings. They are so much easier to plug on the machine now. After plugging them on, I pull up on the clips to make sure they are secure. I don't have hoses popping out if I check those. I have used other brands before and found this item to be heavy duty and so much better being clear so you can see if the ice is melted or not. The other units did not give me that benefit. It was well worth the investment so I can have it for other aches and pains.

The velcro straps could be cumbersome until you become accustomed to using them. The temperature retention, low sound level and ease of operation are noteworthy.

I purchased this one month before surgery, so I would have everything I needed. A big accomplishment since I am a procrastinator. I filled it and plugged it in to make sure it worked, and it did great. Total knee on 4/17. The second day it started with a high pitched noise that is horrible. Luckily the meds let me sleep through it. Two weeks later it began having issues, sometimes not calling down. The past two days it is not working at all. And of course now i cannot return as it is past the window. Very maddening and disappointing. Also, the lid can be difficult to open and close. Have to push in a button that at times does not cooperate, the rear has to line up a little slot which also does not always cooperate. I bought extra cubes as I knew I would be using it frequently.

The Pain Management Technologies Arctic Ice Clear cold therapy device is meant to apply cold to areas of the body suffering from swelling or pain. I got one to help with post-operative healing when I had total knee replacement done on one leg. Here are my impressions. First, and most importantly, the connectors on the inlet/outlet hoses are tricky. They are great when the hoses being connected are aligned and there is no shear or bending stress on the connector. When there is a bending stress on the connection, the silly things come apart and leak. This is a Primary Directive: Let there be NO STRESS on the connectors lest they fail and one become soaked. Alas, as shipped the inlet/outlet hoses are encased in a single neoprene jacket. Simple geometry demands that if the jacketed hoses curve at all, the ends will not be the same length and will force the connectors to bend sideways to accommodate the difference in length, which stresses everything and results in leaks. This can be fixed by simply cutting the two hoses apart, so each can respond to imposed curves independently. This is pretty important: unless the hoses are separated, there is no way I can see to make this product work well (or at all). Other impressions, in no particular order: A little Vaseline on the O-rings helps the connectors connect. An assistant is helpful when applying the therapy pad. This thing is QUIET. Even the end-of-cycle beep is kind of shy and unassuming. The hoses are short enough that there is not a lot of freedom to move around much during therapy. Insulation of the reservoir is pretty good – ice lasts a while, and the thermometer on the display is useful. Unless you have 40 degree (F) cold tap water, you’re going to need to start with extra ice, as the cute little blue cubes that come with the device can’t cool very much water. Keep it cool, yes; get it cool, no. Now, this is not a cheap item. Is it worth it? One can buy lots of bags of ice for what this item costs. Cold therapy is easy, clean and (mostly) dry with this unit, and easy to control (time, intensity). Would I get it again? Probably. Should you? I can’t make that call.

Had shoulder surgery and this was a godsend! Very easy to use and very quiet.

The pad included is designed for joints, not backs - the outer pad is stitched together so it does not lie flat. The extension straps are not made to maye with the stitched on straps. I had to order a simple rectangular pad for my back and also found that there are 2 different connectors in general use - an Artic System and an Artic Clear have different connectors so I also had to order a set of connectors. Many sellers of almost the same product.

I'm so glad I purchased this product! I love its digital and it will alarm if your water gets to warm. It has settings for how many minutes you need to ice your foot. It definitely last a long time. Worth it yes! You don't really need to buy other attachments. Glad I waited to see it first. My mom and I went in halfs so we have it within the family! Yes I'm very happy! I had foot surgery and it's been my best friend. The only thing which isn't a deal breaker for me is the straps that secure the ice pad is fraying from the velcro. No biggie though. Easy fix.