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Contents
Can Knee Ice Packs Help You?
A basic gel ice pack applied to the knee. You can keep ice packs in the freezer so that any time you need one, it will be there and ready
Do you ever have pain in your knee, or swelling or stiffness in one or both of your knees? I know I do. I have had 3 knee injuries over the years, and to be honest, from an athletic point of view have been kind of rough on them.
Now, if you want to know the top knee ice packs to reduce swelling, stiffness and pain right now, check this table to see the ones we recommend for you. However, our top pick is the Shock Doctor Ice Pack. You can find more details for it by clicking its button.
And if you want more detailed information before that, including quick and easy ways to ice your knee, and learn more about this method to reduce knee pain, just keep reading.
PRODUCT NAME
GOOD CHOICE
TheraPAQ Reusable Ice Pack - 14x6 Hot/Cold Gel for Shoulder, Knee, Back, Ankle Relief
MOST POPULAR
Vive Knee Ice Pack Wrap - Cold/Hot Gel Compression Brace - Heat Support Strap for Arthritis Pain, Tendonitis, ACL, Athletic Injury, Osteoarthritis, Women, Men, Running, Meniscus and Patella Surgery
MOST COMFORTABLE
Brownmed - Polar Ice Knee Wrap - Reusable Ice Knee Wrap to Support Knee Injury - Cold Therapy Compression Wrap with Ice Pack - Flexible Leg & Knee Cold Pack Wrap - Large
TOP CHOICE
Shock Doctor Ice Recovery Compression Knee Wrap Brace, Small-Medium, Black
BEST QUALITY
Cold Therapy Knee Ice Wrap with Compression and 2 Ice Gel Packs - Great for Knee Pain Relief, Swelling, Injury Recovery, Meniscus & ACL tears, Sprains and Much More - by SimplyJnJ
Cold Therapy Knee Ice Wrap with Compression and 2 Ice Gel Packs - Great for Knee Pain Relief, Swelling, Injury Recovery, Meniscus & ACL tears, Sprains and Much More - by SimplyJnJ
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why Use Cold Therapy in the Form of a Knee Ice Wrap
Using a knee ice pack for cold therapy is the easiest and quickest way to relieve knee pain, stiffness, or swelling. What happens if you put too much impact on your knee from running or jumping? Truth be told, for older athletes, often times there is not much knee joint cartilage cushioning left, either due to injury and surgery, or to wear and tear.
Likewise, there are many other ways you can damage your knee joint. And you want quick relief. So ice packs for knees may give you just what you need. Here is a quick and easy way to do cold knee therapy at home:
Take some ice cubes from your freezer or local store, and apply them to your knee–use a cloth on your knee to prevent ice burn
“Ice treatment works most effectively when used immediately after an injury or surgery (in the first 3-4 days), but can also help reduce pain and inflammation in longer term knee problems. The simplest way to apply cryotherapy treatment is to wrap some ice in a damp cloth e.g.tea towel.”
We were talking about that acronym, RICE, rest, ice, compression, elevation. So one question people might ask is, ‘isn’t a bag of ice good enough’? And in fact, in a pinch, taking some ice out of your freezer, wrapping it in cloth (to avoid skin damage due to direct contact with cold) can certainly help.
Ice cubes in plastic bag
“Knee pain resulting from common strains and sprains can be treated at home by following a simple plan called RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.”
You can also get an ice bag, or even take some frozen food out of the freezer, wrap it and use it.
However, what if you can combine two of the treatments, ice (that is cold temperature) as well as compression to your knee? Might that have the positive effect of two treatments at once (actually three, since you are resting your knee while using an ice wrap in a cold compression therapy system, or cold compression wrap?
Cold Therapy Systems for Knees
Close-up Of A Soccer Player Icing Knee With Ice Pack On Field
You can do the quick and easy approach to cold therapy as shown here. If you are willing to spend some money to add the compression factor, there are several fine products readily available. So let’s take a look at them.
If you do a search for ‘ice packs for knees’, you’ll get about 5000 search results. So how are you supposed to wade through all of that?? Fortunately, this report will cut through the tangle and give you 5 of the most solid choices to consider.
Close-up Of Hand Holding Ice Gel Pack On Painful Knee
The Top Coldest Knee Compression Wraps
Millions of people are looking for, buying and then leaving feedback on their Amazon purchase. So what we do, is sort to find the best ice wrap, based on these criteria: find the best sellers, with the best ratings, the most reviews and see what each product has. That way we can determine if a product will meet your needs. So let’s dive in.
Pain Relief Flexible Ice Pack for Injuries by TheraPAQ
HEAT OR FREEZE - Some like it hot, some prefer it cool. Luckily you don't have to choose with this ice pack! Stick it in the microwave for instant cramp relief or freeze it to soothe any soreness.
REUSABLE - We all know Earth doesn't need any more detritus laying around. Skip the guilt by using our reusable ice packs for back, torso, and shoulder soreness instead!
ADJUSTABLE STRAP - Soothe even the most hard-to-reach areas with this knee and shoulder ice pack. The straps can be adjusted to provide relief to where it hurts.
FLEXIBLE - Heated or frozen, this cold pack bends and folds with ease. Perfect as a compress for a sports injury, postpartum discomfort, or sore muscles.
DURABLE - Reusable, durable fabric surrounding the gel ensures no leakage from this large ice pack. Take it with you to hike, practice a sport, or while you recover from surgery.
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
TheraPAQ is a very popular gel pack, and can be used for either hot or cold, you just have to heat or chill it depending on your need. It has straps that can fit just about any joint or area of your body.
While most people have a positive experience, it’s always interesting to see what kind of complaints a product gets. For example, sometimes a customer uses the product incorrectly and blames the product. One customer complained about putting it in the microwave to heat it and it started bubbling…..My advice: Don’t blame the knee wrap… just don’t leave it in the microwave on so long! Another said that some of the pouches started to leak gel not too long after they got it.
PATENTED KNEE PAIN RELIEF: Targeting both the front and back of the knee with adjustable compression and hot or cold therapy, the Vive cold knee brace effectively reduces swelling, pain and inflammation.
HOT OR COLD THERAPY: Includes three removable Arctic Flex gel packs for hot or cold therapy.
FLEXIBLE FIT: The versatile knee brace for women and men fits knee circumferences up to 21”. Suitable for both men and women, the soft brace can be worn on the left or right knee.
BREATHABLE NEOPRENE BLEND: Machine washable for added convenience, the knee wrap is made from a lightweight neoprene blend.
VIVE GUARANTEE: 60 day guarantee so you can purchase now with confidence.
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Another popular pack is the Vive Knee Ice Pack Wrap, which operates similarly to the TheraPAQ mentioned above. It has similar characteristics.
It uses gel and has straps to wrap around the joint. In addition, you get a 60 day money back guarantee. That is not as good as the one year guarantee for the TheraPAQ, though.
Polar Ice Large Knee Wrap Cold Therapy Wearable Ice Pack
Discomfort Relief: This knee wrap's built-in ice pack and compression support healing of sprains
Rice: Support your rest, ice, compression, and elevation therapy with this knee compression ice wrap
Comfortable & Reusable: Soft fleece insulates skin, wicks moisture, and eliminates migration of brace
Knee Compression Wrap: Helps with discomfort relief, joint stiffness, and strained or sprained knee
Range of Motion: This knee ice pack wrap gives just enough support for the early motion of the injured foot
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Shown here is the large size Polar Ice Knee Wrap; there is an additional smaller size but the product is the same except for size. As the name suggests, this is not as versatile as the TheraPAQ.
The Polar Ice Knee Wrap does not use gel but instead, purified water, inside the ice pack which has a fleece cover, to prevent frostbite. You can also wear it during activities. It is suitable for both post surgery recovery, as well as sprains, strains and other types of injuries. While the ice packs are solid ice, unlike gels which remain flexible, the wrap is designed to go all the way around the knee, and covers a large area around the whole knee.
Shock Doctor ICE Pack Recovery Compression Knee Wrap Brace
94Fifty is the official Smart Basketball of the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Wireless battery charger included w/the ball, activate w/4 bounces, auto sleep mode after 5 minutes of inactivity, 8 hrs. of continuous battery life
Indoor/Outdoor Weather Resistant Synthetic Leather; Regulation size, weight and spin
Free app keeps history for up to 4 players; Unlimited app downloads; Ball discoverable by any compatible phone when not in use by another player
Compatible With iPhone 4s and later, iPad 3rd Generation and later, iPod Touch 5th Generation and Android Devices
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Shock Doctor is a well respected brand in the knee wrap and knee brace marketplace. It has a number of products that can be useful, depending on the severity of the condition of the knee. This product has multiple gel packs which are removable, and can be used for either hot or cold therapy. It uses straps to hold it in place and provide compression.
This product is more specialized for knees, unlike the TheraPAQ. That, plus the reputation of the Shock Doctor brand, mean you should definitely check it out.
Cold Therapy Knee Wrap with Compression and Extra Ice Gel Pack
???????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????? - The ice gel packs and wrap were specifically designed to contour the knee area for a more focused knee therapy. Fits the left or right knee, up to 24 inches. (See sizing chart)
???????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? - Our cold therapy wrap helps to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain caused by Arthritis, Runner's Knee, tendonitis, bursitis, meniscus & ACL ligament tears, knee injury and more.
???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? - The added compression ensures that there is proper contact between the ice gel pack and the affected knee for a deeper treatment, compared to just using ice gel packs on their own. Just use the air pump and add the level of compression that you want, to ensure a snug fit.
???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? - Comes with an extra ice pack so you don't have to wait in between knee icing treatments. Allows for longer cold therapy sessions, if recommended by your doctor. The ice gel packs are reusable, leak-proof and contain non-toxic gel. For optimal results, leave the cold packs in the freezer until needed. (2 hours minimum.)
???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? - Gone are the days where you have to hold the ice pack yourself. The Velcro straps allow you to apply the cold therapy wrap to the affected knee, while still having the freedom to move around and do other things.
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Cold Therapy Knee Wrap with Compression and Extra Ice Gel Pack is a newer product, What makes this knee wrap different, is that it has both air compression as well as an extra gel pack. That way, you can chill one while wearing the other. On the other hand, keeping your knee cold continuously for long periods of time may not be the best approach. Still, having an extra gel pack is useful.
As with other knee wraps, it claims to stop pain quickly and you can use it for the usual range of symptoms, from sprains and strains, to arthritis, runner’s knee meniscus, surgery and knee replacement. Its main advantage is the extra gel pack, which is removable, an air compression pump and versatility for all kinds of knee issues.
It also has a 100% money back guarantee. You can get full details on it by clicking here.
How Long Should You Ice Your Knee?
You want to get the good effect of lowering inflammation. But be carefull not to keep it so long that you damage your skin. If you’re using just a plain plastic bag, maybe only a few minutes. But if the ice or gel is insulated, you can probably go for about 15 minutes. If it feels painful or numb, take it off.
What Happens If You Ice Your Knee for Too Long?
If you ice your knee for too long, you could end up with frost bite…..not good! So if your ice is insulated, 15 minutes is ok. If not insulated (which you should avoid anyway), maybe 5 minutes.
Conclusion
Just today, I was having lunch with a couple of guys and we were talking about joint pain. Both of them have used drugs like Ibuprofen, or Celebrex, both of which are NSAID’s or Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs. One friend said he’s had some serious pain and found that it worked well.
My other friend told me he took Ibuprofen and his blood pressure spiked to 180/100! Point being, these drugs can work but there may be dangerous serious side effects, especially if you use them regularly.
One Study links Celebrex to heart valve calcification after earlier research declared the drug safe.
That’s why non drug approaches to joint pain may be just as effective, safer, and in the long run cheaper than constantly having to go out and buy more medicines. Give this some thought. Better yet, click on one of the links of products discussed here and check them out here.
I consider ice packs to be part of my self care tool kit for my own knees, so these are ones that people just like you use when they have knee pain. So I hope this review will save you a lot of time and energy. Good Luck, and take good care of your knees! Click here for more information on ice packs for knees.
