- What is the best ice gel pack for after surgery pain?
- Video: How to use hot and cold gel packs?
- Types of hot & cold packs you should know about
- How can symptoms be reduced after surgery?
- Benefits of ice gel packs to relieve pain after surgery
- How can ice gel packs be used to reduce swelling in the surgical area?
- The best hot and cold gel packs for pain relief
Heat and cold therapies have been used for many years in the post-operative phase after orthopaedic, facial and abdominal surgery. This is due to their proven benefits in relieving pain and inflammation more quickly.
Therefore, hot and cold gel packs are used to control inflammation and reduce nerve sensitivity. This results in less pain and faster recovery from surgery. Join us to learn how to use hot and cold gel packs for pain relief after surgery or postoperatively!
What is the best ice gel pack for after surgery pain?
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Back
- Type of adjustment: None
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 1 Gel Pack
- Large size
- Suitable for various body areas
- Cold therapy only
It is recommended to be used for arthritis, sciatica and menstrual pain, although you can also use it to relax the shoulder muscles, due to the extra large size of the thermal blanket. Its structure does not deform with use and, thanks to the quality of the seams and materials, it is not uncomfortable during therapeutic sessions. It has the advantage of being able to be used anywhere on the body, but it does not generate compression, since it does not have adjustable straps.
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Lower back
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 1 Gel Packs
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- Includes 1 Gel Pack
- Hot/cold therapy
- Quality finishes
- Delicate wash
- Not microwave safe
The size encompasses strategic areas of the hip, which enhances dilation and helps facilitate ease of use. Freeze in the refrigerator and microwave the removable pouches to place on your back for pain relief. You won't need anyone's help because its ergonomic design will easily adapt to your anatomy. In some cases, the Velcro loses quality after a few weeks of use.
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Back
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 1 Gel Pack
- Velcro strap for better fit
- Hot/cold therapy
- Little flexibility when frozen
Its soft material cover improves comfort and the adjustable straps generate pressure in sensitive areas. Thanks to these benefits you will get faster results from a back surgery recovery. The temperature for hot and cold therapy will be achieved by using the microwave and refrigerator for the recommended time, but be careful because the gel may spill if you overheat.
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Elbow
- Type of adjustment: Strap with Velcro
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 3 Gel Packs
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- Hot/cold therapy
- Bulky design
Its opening to place the elbow and adjustment straps become the ideal design to apply thermotherapy and cold therapy in the right places. Thanks to its structure you will be able to treat symptoms of tennis elbow, tendonitis and bursitis more easily, but it is important to consider that the type of compression may not be suitable for certain injuries.
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Arm, Elbow
- Type of adjustment: Strap with Velcro
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 4 Gel Packs
- Double Velcro strap
- 4 Gel Packs
- Hot/cold therapy
- Optimal fit
- Medium flexibility with cold therapy
- Not microwaveable
If you want to achieve therapeutic effects faster, use this thermal wrap three or four times a day, exchanging cold therapy with thermotherapy. To do this, simply place the heating pad in the microwave for 60 seconds or two hours in the refrigerator to stimulate blood circulation through compression. Its design restricts movement, which may be harmful to some users.
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Various body areas
- Fit Type: Elastic
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 1 Gel Pack
- Hot/cold therapy
- Suitable for various body areas
- Low flexibility with cold therapy
It is suitable for use with the refrigerator or microwave, in case you want to apply heat therapy. Its materials keep the temperature controlled in sensitive areas to improve blood circulation and achieve faster natural healing effects. Keep in mind that gel pads may cause unpleasant odors during use.
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Various body areas
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 2 Gel Packs
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- 2 Units per order
- Bulky design
By simply placing it in the microwave or freezer, according to your needs, you will achieve the ideal combination to combat radial tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and bursitis. The medical gel packs are reusable, but keep in mind that for best results you will need to use it with a compression sleeve, which may be ineffective for some users.
- Material: Nylon
- Uses: Various body areas
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- Cover: Yes
- No. of units: 2 Gel Packs
- Microwave safe
- Hot/cold therapy
- Quality materials
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- Medium flexibility with cold therapy
- Delicate wash
If you are looking to shorten recovery time from injury, you can use this adjustable thermal elbow pad on a daily basis by simply getting the pads to the required temperature by placing them in the microwave or refrigerator. Compression therapy can also be applied to the elbow with this versatile product, as its adjustable straps will help you find the ideal pressure to stimulate blood circulation. During use, they may cause discomfort by slipping on the arm.
Video: How to use hot and cold gel packs?
Types of hot & cold packs you should know about
How can symptoms be reduced after surgery?
People who undergo surgery are most afraid of the complications of surgery and post-operative pain. Every surgical procedure triggers a physiological inflammatory process. To interrupt this process, doctors use various useful therapeutic agents.
Pharmacological
The most important remedies include analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs work very well and, when administered pre- and post-operatively, lead to very good results.
The type of medication and its administration should be prescribed by a specialist on an individual basis. If the pain is severe, opioids can help relieve the pain. NSAIDs can be given intravenously for the first 48-72 hours and then orally for 5 days. However, any medication can have side effects and should be monitored. There are other alternatives for pain relief and anti-inflammation that contribute to a more satisfactory clinical improvement.
Other therapeutic
Certain techniques and behaviours can also be used after surgery to relieve painful symptoms. These are the easiest and simplest to perform:
- Physical measures: Depending on the type of surgery, certain physical measures should be taken to avoid postoperative complications. It is important to move and walk for short periods of time and avoid long periods of inactivity to avoid complications. Facial movements can also be used in facial surgery to promote clinical improvement.
- Cold therapy: cold offers great benefits in both minor and major surgical procedures. It should be applied to the area where the surgery was performed for the first 24-72 hours. There are currently many options for placement, with gel packs being best for cold and heat.
Benefits of ice gel packs to relieve pain after surgery
Cold therapy has been shown to be the best way to relieve post-operative pain and inflammatory processes. Science considers cryotherapy to be one of the most effective methods for pain relief.
The direct application of cold during operations on the abdomen, jaw, face and extremities significantly reduces the additional use of painkillers. In operations on extremities and joints, it reduces swelling and facilitates physiotherapy. The benefits of cryotherapy have proven to be very lasting and effective. The cold not only relieves pain and inflammation, but also prevents further tissue damage by preserving the integrity of the cells.
Cooling the area triggers a number of physiological responses that have a very positive effect on the injury:
- Reduced pain nerve conduction: The local application of cold significantly reduces the speed of sensory nerve impulses. In other words, the speed of pain propagation in the peripheral nerves is significantly reduced. In other words, cryotherapy acts like a local anaesthetic.
- Vasoconstriction of the tissue and reduction of oedema and inflammation: Cold causes local vasoconstriction, which immediately reduces blood flow. This reduces tissue metabolism and delays the release of chemical precursors of inflammation. It also prevents the lymphatic system from draining fluid into the interstitial space, thus preventing oedema.
- Prevents tissue damage and promotes rapid recovery: The cold temperature reduces the function of cells that are not affected by the trauma caused by the operation. It preserves their integrity and also slows down the damage to the affected cells. This leads to a faster recovery of the tissue and a clinical improvement of the surgical procedure.
How can ice gel packs be used to reduce swelling in the surgical area?
Using cold gel packs to reduce swelling in the surgical area is very simple. We recommend that you follow the recommendations below to ensure an adequate therapeutic effect:
- Cooling the pack: The pad should be cooled in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 2 hours. This is the minimum time required for our packs to provide the greatest benefit in the affected area.
- Check the temperature: After the prescribed time, check the temperature of the gel pack by touching it. If it is not at the right temperature, you can leave it for a few more minutes. If it is too cold, you can leave it outside the freezer for a few minutes.
- Apply to the area to be treated: our packs are designed to be used directly on the area of injury and therefore do not need a cover. They have a soft fabric on one side that does not allow direct contact with the skin. Some of our models are equipped with a compression strap to hold the area more comfortably.
- The first 24-72 hours: Place the cold gel packs on the surgical site for 15-20 minutes. It is important not to exceed 30 minutes and to wait 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Elevation of the area: This depends on the area in question. It is much more suitable for operations on the extremities and their joints. In any case, it improves swelling considerably.
- Check the skin: During the application of cryotherapy, the condition of the skin should be monitored. If discolouration occurs, stop immediately.
- Put the gel pack back in the freezer: After the cold exposure time has elapsed, the gel pack should be put back in the freezer. This will keep it at the correct temperature until the next exposure.
- Ensure the integrity of the gel pack: Do not sit on, lean on or walk on the gel pack. This may cause the gel pack to break and deteriorate.
