Aircast® Cryo Cuff IC w/ Shoulder Pad

My surgeon recommended this for my upcoming shoulder surgery. I had been looking around at other brands, settled on this for the price point and also the cuff seemed easier to use than some of the others. My review at this point is based on a test run, may update after the surgery.

The cuff was easy to put on, but I DO recommend pre-fitting the under-arm tabs so post-surgery you can just slip your arm in it. Also note that the velcro is TOUGH to pull once it's stuck on something. You may need help undoing some of the velcro if you only have use of one hand and limited strength in the surgical arm. The velcro-attached "sling" is genius.

The unit itself is easy to use. I used frozen water bottles, but it only takes 2 16.9 oz bottles, but I was able to squeeze in a mini 8oz bottle also. Probably 3 12-oz would be just right. Take off the labels, and use a gentle solvent to clean off any glue reside.

The motor is not silent, but not too annoying, and it cycles on-off. No timer, but frankly my phone is by my side, it will do. Not sure yet if I will need it at night.

I installed it on an end-table next to the recliner (which is happily on the correct side). No leaks so far, tubing is easy to attach and detach. I plan on putting the unit in a dishpan to avoid any drips onto wood furniture. I may also put a fat book under it to raise it up, but it worked fine without the extra height (it's a bit below shoulder level).

The instructions lacked anything about how to drain the cuff itself: just unplug the unit (I recommend from the top), put the unit on the floor, stand up, and unscrew the top from the unit. You should feel it start to drain out. Probably you'll need to squeeze out the last bits. Gravity is your friend. Take the cooler to the sink, and then unscrew the bottom attachment and let the water drain.

Works as described.

The machine is easy to use and stays cold overnight. It is relatively quiet. The problem for me is the size of the cuff. It’s way too big for an average woman’s shoulder. It’s just not comfortable as the edge of the top of the shoulder hits me in the face and the arm section is not touching my arm. Needs a smaller size.

In preparation for rotator cuff surgery, I researched several brands of ice machines before deciding on the Aircast Cryo w/ Shoulder Cuff. BEST PURCHASE MADE. I had the surgery 4 days ago and have been using the machine 24/7 (on surgeon's advice) since surgery. I picked the Aircast for these reasons, and why I'm loving it. First, it has the best shoulder cuff. The cuff fully wraps all sides of the shoulder and upper arm, and best of all, it incorporates its own sling rather than me having to wear the separate bulky sling that the surgeon gave me. The cryo cuff is comfortable; I even use it as my sole sling when I'm not icing. Also, the way that the cryo cuff wraps around the shoulder makes it impossible for me to accidentally move my elbow far from my torso (a prohibited movement for the first few weeks). The second reason I chose the Aircast machine was ease of use. I just put a few plastic refreezable ice packs in the water in the container, and it's good-to-go for 6-8 hrs before ice pack change is needed. (I did buy some of the ice freeze bags sold as an add-on by Cold Therapy, but to be honest, I'm finding that my own refreezable packs work easier/better.) The machine runs fairly quiet such that it did not disturb my night sleep - in some ways I actually found the soft hum of the machine to be relaxing, like "brown noise".

The three best things I did to make my rotator cuff surgery go relatively "easy" and not tooo painful so far are: (1) this Aircast ice machine, (2) on advice from my daughter who is a general surgery PA-C, demanding that my ortho surgeon add a slow-release analgesic called Exparel to my nerve block, which has really kept me pretty pain free so far since it lasts up to 72 hours (I had to pay $300 out-of-pocket for it, but sooooo worth it!), and (3) this bed wedge https://a.co/d/3Sktvlj.

I borrowed a cryocuff years ago when I had surgery for a massive rotator cuff injury. Now, 10 years later, I'm facing a total shoulder replacement, but not until summer, and I've been in truly severe pain. So, I bought a cryocuff which I use twice a day, morning and at night before bed. I can tell you that are no pills or gels or anything else that relieve pain as well as the circulating ice water on my shoulder. And since I'll be replacing shoulder #2 next year (the price of over 70 years as a horsewoman!) I see my purchase as a wise investment. 🙂