Cryotherapy works. The Cryo/Cuff provides simultaneous cold and compression to minimize swelling and pain post-op or due to injury. It is prescribed for use by an orthopedic or sports medicine surgeon following most surgeries including arthroscopic surgeries of the shoulder. Injuries and post-op conditions that benefit from cryotherapy are labral tear repair and injury, sprains and strains, bankart repair, shoulder replacement, rotator cuff repair surgery. It is also used in Emergency Rooms (ER) and in sports training rooms as well as homes for post-op, trauma, and rehabilitation.

How it works. Compression combined with cold.

The Aircast CryoCuff Shoulder Icing System comes in four parts. So if one part needs to be replaced, it can be purchased separately. It is easy to place the cuff over the injured area so that the shoulder is covered with pressurized ice water.

The cooler holds 4 liters of enough water and ice for 6-8 full hours of cryotherapy. Body heat warms the cuff within 15-30 minutes after initial application. You fill with 1/3 water, 2/3 ice.

The Shoulder Cryo/Cuff has four parts:

CUFF
This covers the shoulder with pressurized ice water for compression for reducing swelling. You can get a different cuff, such as a knee cuff, to work with the same cooling system. So it has interchangeable parts.

COOLER
It holds 4 liters of water, enough for 6-8 hours of cryotherapy

INSULATION DISK
Helps keep the ice and water cold

TUBE
The part that exchanges water between the cooler and the cuff.

Parts are sold separately and you can get it as a system with all parts.

At this point, the warm water is drained and re chilled by lowering the connected cooler to the floor for a couple of minutes. The cooler is then raised and cold water flows back into the cuff. The interval between cycles can be extended to an hour or so after initial cooling.

Basically, elevating the cooler forces cold water into the cuff. Compression is proportional to elevation.

Anatomically designed cuff makes for complete shoulder coverage

Probably one of the biggest benefits of the icing system over ice packs, particularly for the shoulder is the design that 'fits' your shoulder. In fact, it comes in sizes and can be purchased with an extra long strap to customize the fit and provide comfort and facilitate faster healing with less pain.

Make sure you get all the parts

Make sure you order the right size. It does come with an X-Long shoulder strap. Don't go by price ALONE because the price does not always reflect the sum of all four parts. Get CryoCuff Shoulder at Amazon.com

While you are shopping for these icing systems, keep in mind that the cuff or compression dressing system is sometimes separate from the cooler and tube assembly. For the whole shooting match, get the Aircast Cryo/Cuff Compression Dressing System. This has the whole package. Owners of the system can add to and purchase additional cuffs to be used and interchanged with the rest of the system such as the knee or ankle. In other words, the cooler and tube is the same for all units while the cuff differs for each body part.

A prescription from a doctor is often considered for reimbursement by your insurance provider.

Medicare covers the cost as well as many insurance providers if you get a prescription from your doctor. And even if it does not, when you realize the pain relief it provides, you wouldn't care if it is a million dollars.

Studies prove that regular icing reduces the need for pain medication

Pain medication can have all kinds of side effects and it's best to get off of it as soon as possible. Not to mention the fact that a lot of them are expensive, even with insurance. Clinical studies do show positive benefits of this compression icing system which is used regularly in the offices of orthopedic and sports medicine surgeons. The Aircast AutoChill system is an extra component providing continuous cold and pulsating pressure eliminating the need for manual water recycling by utilizing an electronic pump to exchange warm water for cold.

All cryo/cuff products are latex free and come with a manufacturers warranty for parts for one year from the date of sale provided the worn part is returned for analysis.

Contraindications:

Cryotherapy should not be used if you have Raynaud's or other vasospastic disease, cold hypersensitivity, decreased skin sensitivity or compromised local circulation.