Ice-Based vs. Gel-Based Cold Therapy Systems: Technology, Performance and Cost

Comparing ice-based and gel-based cold therapy systems? Learn how each technology cools, how pneumatic compression chambers inflate and deflate, how compression works with circulating ice water, and what each option really costs, then choose the system that fits your recovery.

By Supply Cold Therapy | Updated November 2026

If you're getting ready for knee surgery, shoulder surgery, or recovering from an orthopedic injury, you've probably noticed that cold therapy products fall into two big camps: systems that run on ice and systems that run on frozen gel.

On the surface, they do the same job. Both pull heat out of the injured area to help manage pain and swelling. Underneath, they're built on different technology, cool differently over time, handle compression in different ways, and cost very different amounts.

Ice-based systems include ice bags, gravity-fed cold cuffs, motorized cold therapy machines that pump ice water through a pad, and cold + compression machines that add an air pump. Gel-based systems use frozen gel packs held against the joint in a body-specific wrap, usually with elastic straps for static compression.

Popular options include the Breg Polar Care Cube, Breg Polar Care Kodiak, DonJoy IceMan Classic3, Aircast Cryo Cuff, Breg Polar Care Wave, Omni Ice Pulse Compression, and gel systems such as the Omni Ice Ultimate Cold + Compression Gel Wrap, ActiveWrap Pro, and Breg Polar Care Gel Ice Wraps.

At Supply Cold Therapy, we help patients understand how these technologies work so they can choose the right system before surgery or after an injury. Before examining each option in detail, here's how they compare.

Ice-Based vs. Gel-Based Cold Therapy Systems: Side-by-Side Comparison

Quick buying recommendations

• For a minor sprain, strain, or occasional soreness: A gel wrap or a simple ice bag is usually enough.
• For surgery recovery when you want to stay mobile: Compare long-duration gel wraps such as the Omni Ice Ultimate Cold + Compression Wrap and ActiveWrap Pro.
• For surgery recovery when your surgeon recommends a cold therapy machine: Compare ice-based motorized systems such as the Breg Polar Care Cube, Kodiak, and DonJoy IceMan.
• When your clinician recommends cold plus compression: Compare the Breg Polar Care Wave and Omni Ice Pulse Compression.
• If you already own a machine: You may only need a replacement pad, a sterile dressing or skin barrier, and reusable ice freeze bags.

The most advanced system is not automatically the best one. Fit, consistency, safety, and whether you'll actually use it as prescribed matter more than the number of features.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• What separates ice-based and gel-based cold therapy
• Why ice and gel cool the body differently
• The five main system types and how each one works
• How pneumatic compression chambers inflate and deflate
• How compression is built into circulating cold water pads
• The differences between active compression and manually tightened straps
• What clinical research says about performance
• How the costs compare, upfront and over time
• How to use each system safely
• Answers to frequently asked questions

Medical note: Your surgeon's recommendations and the manufacturer's instructions take priority. Cold therapy and compression can help manage pain and swelling, but they do not replace rehabilitation or guarantee faster healing.

1. What Is the Difference Between Ice-Based and Gel-Based Cold Therapy?

The difference starts with the cold source and everything that follows from it: how the cold is stored, how it reaches your skin, how long it lasts, and whether compression can be added.

Ice-based systems

Ice-based systems use real ice, either applied directly in a bag or melted into ice water that flows through a pad or cuff.

• Ice bags and packs sit directly on the treatment area with a barrier.
• Gravity-fed cuffs fill with ice water from a cooler held above the joint.
• Motorized machines use a pump in the cooler lid to circulate ice water through a pad and back.
• Cold + compression machines circulate ice water and add an air pump that inflates a chamber in the pad.

Gel-based systems

Gel-based systems use packs of specially formulated gel that you freeze ahead of time. The frozen packs slide into a wrap shaped for the knee, shoulder, hip, back, or ankle, and elastic straps hold them in place.

• Strengths: No cooler, tubing, power cord, or ice to buy. You can move around freely.
• Limitations: The packs warm steadily during use, must be refrozen, and compression comes only from how tightly you fasten the straps.

Why the difference matters

Ice-based systems tend to win on cooling consistency and offer the only path to active compression. Gel-based systems tend to win on simplicity, mobility, and upfront cost. Which matters more depends on your procedure, your recovery plan, and how much setup you can handle at home.

For a deeper look at the physiology, read How Does Cold Therapy Work?

2. The Science of Cooling: Why Ice and Gel Behave Differently

Phase change is ice's advantage

When ice melts, it absorbs a large amount of heat while staying at about 32°F (0°C). That process is called a phase change. As long as solid ice remains, the cold source holds near freezing instead of warming steadily.

A frozen gel pack does not melt into a different state the way ice does during use. It simply warms degree by degree as it absorbs heat from your body.

Research supports this difference. A study in the Journal of Athletic Training found that cold modalities that undergo a phase change produced lower skin temperatures and lower temperatures 1 cm into the muscle than a frozen gel pack during a 30-minute treatment. A separate study comparing ice packs, gel packs, frozen peas, and a water-alcohol mixture found that the ice pack lowered skin temperature significantly more than the gel pack over 20 minutes.

How ice machines extend the effect

A motorized machine keeps the advantage of ice going for hours. The cooler holds a reservoir of ice and water, the pump keeps moving chilled water through the pad, and warmer water returning from the pad is re-chilled by the ice in the cooler. The pad stays cold as long as ice remains.

Why gel can still make sense

Colder is not always better. Gel wraps are easier to use, safer to move around in, and long-duration gel products are designed to stay cold longer than a basic gel pack. For many patients, a cold source that is convenient enough to use on schedule beats a colder one that sits in the closet.

A safety note on freezer temperature

Gel packs come out of the freezer at freezer temperature, which can be well below 32°F. Ice bags and ice water stay near freezing. That's one reason every gel product should be used with the barrier its instructions call for.

3. Five Cold Therapy System Types Compared

Here are the main options, from simplest to most advanced.

Option 1: Gel Ice Wraps - Mobile, Cord-Free Cooling

Long-duration gel wraps use specially formulated gel packs inside a joint-specific wrap with elastic straps.

Options at Supply Cold Therapy include the Omni Ice Ultimate Cold + Compression Gel Wraps, ActiveWrap Pro Long-Duration Ice Wraps for the knee, shoulder, and hip, and Breg Polar Care Gel Ice Wraps.

Key features:

• Manufacturers rate cooling at roughly 2 to 4 hours per freeze, depending on the product
• Static compression from elastic straps
• No tubing, cooler, or power cord
• Reusable; keep a second set of gel packs in the freezer to rotate

Best suited for: Patients who want longer cooling than an ice pack and the freedom to move around.

Considerations: Gel warms during the session rather than holding a steady temperature, and strap pressure depends on how you fasten it.

Shop: Compression Ice Wraps

Option 2: Ice Bags and Ice Packs - Simple Phase-Change Cooling

A bag of crushed or cubed ice is the most basic ice-based system and one of the most effective at chilling the skin during a short session.

Key features:

• Very low cost
• Holds near freezing until the ice melts
• No built-in compression

Best suited for: Minor injuries and patients whose clinicians recommend basic icing.

Considerations: Ice bags leak, slide off rounded joints, and need frequent replacement after surgery.

Option 3: Gravity-Fed Cold Cuffs - Ice Water Without a Motor

The Aircast Gravity Cooler System uses gravity to move ice water from a cooler into a cuff. Raising the cooler fills the cuff, and the filled cuff presses gently against the joint. Lowering the cooler drains the water back so it can be re-chilled. The Aircast Cryo Cuff IC adds a motorized cooler that recirculates the water.

Key features:

• Cold combined with focal compression from the water-filled cuff
• Gravity model works without wall power
• Cuffs for knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow, hip, and more

Best suited for: Patients who want cold and some compression in a simpler format.

Considerations: With the gravity model, the water in the cuff warms and must be cycled back to the cooler periodically.

Shop: Aircast Cryo Cuff Coolers

Option 4: Motorized Ice Water Machines - Consistent, Hands-Free Cooling

Motorized systems pump ice water from an insulated cooler through a pad and back again. This is what most people mean by a "cold therapy machine" or "ice machine."

Popular cold-only systems include the Breg Polar Care Cube, Breg Polar Care Kodiak, DonJoy IceMan Classic3, DonJoy IceMan Clear3, and Össur Cold Rush.

Key features:

• Continuous circulation keeps the pad cold during a session
• Breg rates the Polar Care Cube at 6 to 8 hours of cold therapy per ice-and-water fill
• Anatomical pads sized for each body area
• Static compression from pad straps, not powered compression

Best suited for: Post-surgical patients whose surgeons recommend repeated cooling sessions.

Considerations: Requires power, a compatible pad, ice, and usually a sterile dressing or skin barrier. Pads are not interchangeable between brands or even between some models from the same brand.

For a full walkthrough of pumps, pads, and coolers, read How Does a Cold Therapy Machine Work?

Shop: All Cold Therapy Products

Option 5: Cold + Active Compression Machines - Ice Water Plus Pneumatic Pressure

The Breg Polar Care Wave and Omni Ice Pulse Compression combine circulating ice water with an air pump that inflates and deflates a chamber in the pad.

Key features:

• Circulating cold therapy
• Intermittent pneumatic compression with selectable settings
• Specialized pads that contain both a water chamber and an air chamber

Best suited for: Patients whose clinicians specifically recommend combined cold and compression.

Considerations: Active compression is not appropriate for everyone. The next three sections explain exactly how it works.

Shop: Breg Wave replacement pads | Omni Ice Pulse pads and accessories

4. How Pneumatic Compression Works: Inflate, Hold, Deflate, Repeat

"Pneumatic" simply means powered by air. A pneumatic compression system uses a small air pump to fill a sealed chamber, often called a bladder, built into the therapy pad. When the chamber fills, it presses inward against the limb. When it empties, the pressure releases.

The basic cycle

1. Inflate: The air pump pushes air through a dedicated air line in the hose and into the pad's air chamber. As the chamber expands, the pad squeezes evenly around the joint.
2. Reach the set pressure: The controller stops adding air when the chamber reaches the level for the selected setting.
3. Deflate: A valve opens and air escapes, so pressure on the limb drops.
4. Repeat: The cycle runs again for the length of the session.

Because pressure rises and falls instead of staying constant, this is called intermittent pneumatic compression.

How pressure is measured

Compression is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), the same unit used for blood pressure. For example, Breg lists two compression settings for the Polar Care Wave: Regular, at about 50 mmHg average peak compression, and Low, at about 25 mmHg. Compression can also be turned off so the Wave runs as a cold-only machine.

The Omni Ice Pulse Compression offers three compression strengths (low, medium, and high) and three session lengths (20, 40, or 60 minutes).

Why intermittent instead of constant?

The pressure-and-release rhythm is designed to help move fluid out of swollen tissue while avoiding the steady squeeze of a wrap that never lets up. Your clinician will decide whether compression is right for you and which setting to use.

Cold compression vs. DVT compression

Some pneumatic devices are built mainly to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by squeezing the calf or foot in sequence. Cold + compression units like the Breg Wave and Omni Ice Pulse are designed to apply cold and compression to the treatment area to help manage swelling and pain. They are not substitutes for a DVT prevention device unless your physician specifically prescribes them for that purpose.

5. How Compression Is Integrated With Circulating Cold Water

A cold + compression pad is not one chamber doing two jobs. It's a layered pad with separate chambers for water and air.

The dual-bladder design

• Water chamber (inner layer): Sits closest to the body. Ice water from the cooler flows through it continuously and returns to the cooler to be re-chilled.
• Air chamber (outer layer): Sits on top of the water chamber. The air pump inflates and deflates this layer on a cycle.

The FDA's clearance summary for the Breg Polar Care Wave describes exactly this setup: a water pump in the lid circulates cold water through a dual-bladder pad, while an air pump cyclically inflates and deflates a second bladder for compression.

What happens during each cycle

1. Cold water circulates through the inner chamber the entire session.
2. The outer air chamber inflates and pushes the cold water layer firmly against the skin and around the joint.
3. The air chamber deflates, pressure releases, and the water keeps circulating.
4. The cycle repeats.

One unit, two pumps, one hose

Inside the cooler lid, a water pump handles circulation and an air pump handles compression. A single hose bundle carries the water supply, water return, and air line to the pad. That's why cold + compression pads are system-specific: the pad's connector has to match both the water and air connections of its machine.

Why combining them can help

Pressure helps the cold layer stay in close, even contact with the body. A classic Journal of Athletic Training study found that applying ice with a compression wrap produced significantly cooler intramuscular temperatures at every depth measured than ice alone. Active compression adds that contact benefit with a cycling pressure that doesn't depend on how tightly you pulled a strap.

For a side-by-side look at cold-only and cold + compression machines, read Cold Therapy Machine vs. Cold Compression Machine.

6. Active Compression vs. Manually Tightened Straps

Almost every cold therapy pad or wrap provides some compression. The question is whether that compression is active (machine-controlled) or static (set by your hands).

What static compression does well

Straps hold the cold source in place, improve contact with the skin, and add modest pressure at no extra cost. For many patients, that's all the compression they need. For context, a 2023 knee replacement trial reported that the elastic tubular bandage used under ice in its usual-care group averaged about 17 mmHg.

Where static compression falls short

• No way to know the pressure: Two people can strap the same wrap at very different tightness.
• Straps change over time: Elastic stretches and hook-and-loop wears, so pressure drifts.
• Swelling changes the fit: A wrap that was snug at application can become too tight as swelling increases.

Strap safety tips

• Fasten straps snug enough to hold the pad without sliding, never tight enough to cause numbness, tingling, throbbing, or color changes below the wrap.
• Recheck strap tension during the session, especially in the first days after surgery.
• Never add an extra elastic bandage over a pad unless your clinician tells you to.

7. What Does the Research Say About Performance?

Here is what the evidence shows, without the marketing.

Cooling: ice beats gel at chilling the skin

• A 2003 study found that phase-change cold sources like ice produced lower skin and 1 cm intramuscular temperatures than a frozen gel pack.
• A 2005 study found the mean skin temperature after 20 minutes was about 10.2°C with an ice pack versus about 13.9°C with a gel pack.

Machines vs. traditional ice or gel: mixed results

Studies comparing circulating cold devices with traditional ice bags or gel packs after knee replacement have been mixed. A 2023 Cochrane review of cold therapy after total knee replacement found it may modestly reduce early pain and improve early range of motion compared with no cold therapy, though much of the evidence was low certainty. Our article Cold Therapy Pads vs. Traditional Ice Packs covers these trials in more detail.

Adding compression: early benefit, smaller long-term difference

• A 2016 meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials with 522 knee surgery patients found that compressive cryotherapy reduced pain on the first days after surgery and reduced swelling on days 1 and 2 compared with cold alone. Differences faded by the first and second weeks, and the authors noted small samples and high risk of bias in many included trials.
• A 2023 randomized trial of 72 knee replacements compared a cryocompression device with ice plus static compression for two weeks. It found no significant differences in pain, swelling, flexion, or opioid use, and the authors judged a small extension difference likely due to chance.

What this means for you

Ice-based systems cool more effectively, and active compression may help most in the first few days after surgery. Neither guarantees a faster recovery.

The practical advantages often matter more than the clinical gap: steadier cooling, better fit, fewer swaps, and controlled compression can make it easier to follow a frequent icing schedule during the hardest days at home.

8. Cost Comparison: Upfront and Over Time

Prices below reflect starting prices on SupplyColdTherapy.com at the time of publication and may change.

Hidden costs to consider

• Ice: Machines can use several pounds of ice per day. Reusable ice freeze bags can reduce how often you buy or make ice.
• Second gel set: To keep a gel wrap in rotation, plan on a backup set of packs in the freezer.
• Barriers: Many machine pads require a sterile dressing or skin barrier, often sold separately.
• Compression pads: Active compression pads are more complex than cold-only pads and usually cost more to replace.
• Insurance: Most insurance plans do not cover cold therapy machines, so check before assuming reimbursement.

Cost per week of use

A gel wrap costs the least upfront and nothing to run beyond freezer space. Ice-based machines cost more upfront and add ice, but they can save a lot of effort if you need many sessions a day for several weeks. The more sessions your plan calls for, the more a machine's convenience is worth.

9. Safety: Ice, Gel, and Compression All Need Care

Cold injury is possible with any cold therapy system, and compression adds its own precautions.

Always use a barrier

• Never place ice, frozen gel, or a cold pad directly on bare skin unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically allow it.
• Machine users may need a sterile dressing over a fresh incision or a non-sterile skin barrier over intact skin. Read Why You Should Always Use a Sterile Pad with Cold Therapy Machines.

Why machines need extra caution

Because circulating devices stay cold longer than ice packs, it's easier to overdo a session. The FDA has received reports of injuries such as frostbite and skin damage linked to improper use of water-circulating cold therapy devices.

Compression precautions

Manufacturers list conditions where intermittent pneumatic compression should not be used. For example, Breg's instructions for a compression device it makes list suspected or existing deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, inflammatory phlebitis, pulmonary edema, and presumptive congestive heart failure. Always review your device's full contraindication list with your clinician.

Watch for warning signs

Stop and contact your healthcare provider if you notice:

• Persistent numbness or tingling
• Burning pain
• Blistering
• Pale, waxy, or unusually discolored skin
• Throbbing, increasing pain, or increasing swelling

Higher-risk patients

Patients with diabetes, vascular disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, nerve damage, or reduced sensation from a nerve block should ask their clinician before using any cold therapy or compression.

Use each system as directed

• Gel wraps: Follow the product's barrier guidance and strap instructions, and rotate a second frozen set rather than over-extending one session.
• Machines: Follow your prescribed schedule, not the cooler's run time. A cooler that stays cold for hours does not mean hours of continuous use are safe.
• Compression: Use the setting your clinician recommends and stop if the pressure causes pain, throbbing, or sensation changes.
• Sleep: Do not sleep with a device running unless your clinician and the manufacturer explicitly allow it.

For schedule guidance, read How Long Do I Have To Do Cold Therapy After Surgery?

10. Which System Makes More Sense for Your Situation?

When in doubt, ask your surgeon or physical therapist whether they recommend cold only or cold plus compression, then match the product to that recommendation.

11. Common Mistakes When Choosing Between Ice and Gel Systems

Mistake 1: Assuming gel is as cold as ice

• Gel warms steadily. Ice holds near freezing while it melts.

Mistake 2: Assuming colder always means better

• The right system is the one you'll use safely and on schedule.

Mistake 3: Calling strap pressure "compression therapy"

• Straps provide static compression. Only a pneumatic system provides active, intermittent compression.

Mistake 4: Paying for compression you don't need

• If your clinician recommends cooling only, a cold-only system may be all you need.

Mistake 5: Strapping a wrap too tight

• A wrap that feels snug at first can become too tight as swelling increases.

Mistake 6: Skipping the barrier

• Frozen gel and circulating ice water can both cause cold injury on bare skin.

Mistake 7: Mixing incompatible pads and machines

• Cold + compression pads need matching water and air connectors. Breg Cube, Kodiak, and Wave pads are not interchangeable with each other or with other brands.

Mistake 8: Ignoring the return policy

• Medical equipment often can't be returned once opened unless defective.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Is ice-based or gel-based cold therapy better?

Ice-based systems usually cool the skin more effectively and more consistently. Gel-based systems are simpler, cheaper, and easier to move around in. The better choice depends on your procedure, your clinician's recommendation, and how many sessions you need.

Why does ice stay colder than gel?

Ice absorbs a large amount of heat as it melts while staying near 32°F. Frozen gel packs don't go through that phase change during use, so they warm steadily.

How long do gel ice wraps stay cold?

Long-duration gel wraps are typically rated for about 2 to 4 hours per freeze, depending on the product. Standard gel packs warm much faster.

How long does an ice-based cold therapy machine stay cold?

It depends on the model, how much ice you use, and room temperature. Breg rates the Polar Care Cube at 6 to 8 hours per ice-and-water fill. Treatment time should still follow your clinician's instructions.

How does pneumatic compression work?

An air pump inflates a sealed chamber in the pad to a set pressure, then a valve releases the air. The cycle repeats throughout the session, so pressure rises and falls instead of staying constant.

How is compression combined with circulating cold water?

Cold + compression pads have two layers: an inner chamber that circulates ice water and an outer air chamber that inflates and deflates. The air layer presses the cold water layer against the body during each cycle.

What is the difference between active compression and straps?

Straps provide constant pressure set by how tightly you fasten them. Active compression uses an air pump to deliver cycling pressure at a selected setting.

How much pressure does a cold compression machine apply?

It varies by device. Breg lists the Polar Care Wave at about 50 mmHg average peak compression on Regular and about 25 mmHg on Low.

Do I need active compression after surgery?

Not necessarily. Research suggests compression may add the most benefit in the first few days after knee surgery, but many patients do well with cold only. Ask your surgeon.

Who should not use pneumatic compression?

Manufacturers list contraindications such as suspected or existing deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and certain heart and vascular conditions. Review your device's instructions with your clinician.

Can I use a gel wrap directly on my skin?

Only if the product's instructions allow it. Gel can come out of the freezer colder than 32°F, so use the barrier the manufacturer recommends.

Does insurance cover cold therapy machines?

Most plans do not. Check with your insurer before purchasing.

13. Final Cold Therapy System Checklist

Before choosing, confirm:

• My clinician recommends cold therapy and a session schedule.
• I know whether my clinician recommends cold only or cold plus compression.
• I compared ice-based and gel-based options for my situation.
• I reviewed any compression contraindications with my clinician.
• I chose a pad or wrap for the correct body area and size.
• I confirmed pad and machine compatibility, including air connections for compression pads.
• I have the required skin barrier or dressing.
• I have a plan for ice or a second set of gel packs.
• I reviewed the return policy and shipping time.

Final Verdict: Ice-Based or Gel-Based Cold Therapy?

The right system is the one you'll use correctly and consistently, matched to your clinician's recommendation.

For minor injuries, mobility, and tight budgets: A gel-based wrap such as the Omni Ice Ultimate Cold + Compression Wrap, ActiveWrap Pro, or a Breg gel ice wrap makes the most sense.

For steady, frequent cooling after surgery: An ice-based machine such as the Breg Polar Care Cube, Kodiak, DonJoy IceMan, or Aircast Cryo Cuff delivers colder, more consistent therapy.

When your clinician recommends cold plus compression: Compare the Breg Polar Care Wave and Omni Ice Pulse Compression for controlled, intermittent pneumatic pressure with circulating cold.

No system can guarantee faster healing, but the right one can make your prescribed cold therapy easier to follow.

Shop Cold Therapy at Supply Cold Therapy

At SupplyColdTherapy.com, we carry ice-based cold therapy machines, cold compression systems, gel ice wraps, replacement pads, and accessories from Breg, DonJoy, Aircast, Össur, Omni Ice, and ActiveWrap, with same and next day shipping from Charlotte, North Carolina.

• All Cold Therapy Products
• Compression Ice Wraps
• Breg Polar Care Cube
• DonJoy IceMan
• Aircast Cryo Cuff Coolers
• Omni Ice
• Ice Freeze Bags

Not sure which option fits your recovery? Talk to a cold therapy consultant at 844-505-8144.

Choose the right cooling technology. Protect your skin. Follow your recovery plan.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Cold therapy and pneumatic compression have contraindications and risks. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations and the manufacturer's current instructions.

Sources and Further Reading

1. Merrick MA, Jutte LS, Smith ME. Cold Modalities With Different Thermodynamic Properties Produce Different Surface and Intramuscular Temperatures. Journal of Athletic Training, 2003. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC155508
2. Kanlayanaphotporn R, Janwantanakul P. Comparison of skin surface temperature during the application of various cryotherapy modalities. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16003673/
3. Merrick MA, Knight KL, Ingersoll CD, Potteiger JA. The Effects of Ice and Compression Wraps on Intramuscular Temperatures at Various Depths. Journal of Athletic Training, 1993. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1317720/
4. Compressive cryotherapy versus cryotherapy alone in patients undergoing knee surgery: a meta-analysis. SpringerPlus, 2016. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4943919
5. The role of a cryocompression device following total knee arthroplasty. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-023-07455-3
6. Aggarwal A, Adie S, Harris IA, Naylor J. Cryotherapy following total knee replacement. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007911.pub3
7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) K183702: Polar Care Wave (clearance summary). https://fda.innolitics.com/device/K183702
8. Breg, Inc. Polar Care Wave. https://www.breg.com/products/cold-therapy/devices/polar-care-wave/
9. Breg, Inc. Polar Care Cube. https://breg.com/products/cold-therapy/devices/cube-cold-therapy
10. Breg, Inc. VPULSE Instructions for Use (compression contraindications). https://www.breg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/vpulse-ifu.pdf
11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Cold Facts to Help Avoid Injury from Water-Circulating Hot/Cold Therapy Devices. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/cold-facts-help-avoid-injury-water-circulating-hotcold-therapy-devices
12. Supply Cold Therapy. Cold Therapy Machine vs. Cold Compression Machine: What's the Difference? https://supplycoldtherapy.com/blogs/news/cold-therapy-machine-vs-cold-compression-machine
13. Supply Cold Therapy. Cold Therapy Pads vs. Traditional Ice Packs: Which Cooling Method Makes More Sense? https://supplycoldtherapy.com/blogs/news/cold-therapy-pads-vs-ice-packs