Help manage discomfort
Cold therapy may temporarily ease pain and swelling after surgery or injury. The response varies by person and procedure.
Understand the therapy.
Prepare for recovery.
What cold and compression do, where wraps fit, and what to confirm with your surgical team.
Cold and compression together
NICE1 combines controlled cooling with pneumatic compression. Your clinician decides which functions and settings belong in your plan.
No ice refills
The NICE1 cools without an ice filled cooler. That means fewer supplies to manage while you follow your recovery plan.
Start with your
treatment area.
These pages help you prepare questions.
They do not prescribe a wrap.
Knee surgery recovery
Planning for a knee replacement or ACL procedure? Ask your surgical team whether cold and compression belong in your recovery plan.
Read the guideHip surgery recovery
If cold and compression are included in your hip surgery plan, arrange the equipment before you come home.
Read the guideShoulder surgery recovery
For shoulder replacement or rotator cuff recovery, start with your surgeon’s instructions and the correct side.
Read the guideSpine surgery recovery
Lower back and neck procedures need different wrap choices. “Spinal fusion” alone does not identify the correct wrap.
Read the guideLet’s talk about
who pays.
Some recovery plans have a coverage pathway. These NICE programs explain where to start.
Veterans and the VA
NICE’s VA rental pathway starts with a prescription and VA authorization. Explore the steps and funding requirements.
See the VA pathInjured at work
A rental may be funded through workers’ compensation when the carrier approves it. Start with your claim team.
See the workers’ comp pathCollege student athletes
Your athletic department and student insurance may help coordinate equipment and coverage.
See the student athlete pathProgram information is provided by NICE. Eligibility, authorization, and supplier participation must be confirmed for your rental.
A little preparation.
A clearer recovery.
Explore NICE’s procedure-specific recovery guides, with timelines, rehabilitation milestones, and questions to bring to your care team.
Explore recovery guides Guides from NICE Recovery Systems
Good to know
before you get home.
A closer look at the research and the practical side of recovery.
NICE1 and ice packs: what the UConn study found
NICE’s overview of a hand and wrist surgery study, including how patients used each therapy.
Read the research overview
Make your home ready for knee replacement recovery
A practical checklist for the spaces and everyday essentials you’ll use when you come home.
Read the articleQuestions to ask before you start
- Is cold therapy appropriate for my procedure and medical history?
- Should compression be used, and at what setting?
- Where should the wrap go relative to my incision, dressing or brace?
- What session length, breaks and skin checks should I follow?
Use it with clear instructions
Cold therapy can injure skin if used incorrectly. Discuss reduced sensation or circulation problems with your clinician. Follow the prescribed schedule and barrier instructions. Stop and contact your clinician for new numbness, burning, unexpected pain or skin changes.
Sources: FDA cold therapy guidance and NICE1 product information. Educational information, not an individualized treatment plan.
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