Knee pain can be a debilitating condition that affects people of all ages and lifestyles.

For individuals who require knee surgery it can be a daunting experience: knee arthroscopy, meniscus repair, ACL, MCL reconstructions & total knee replacement.

By reducing pain and swelling, you can ease discomfort and this can lead to a faster and more comfortable recovery.

A holistic approach to surgery is becoming more common practice by many surgeons.

Health care professionals are now placing significant emphasis on both preparation and rehabilitation around procedures.

An important aspect of pre-surgical care is to try and minimize swelling and inflammation in the knee joint.

In this article, we’ll explore some effective strategies for reducing swelling and inflammation in the knee which can help improve surgical outcomes and speed up your recovery. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Elevation: if you’ve experienced an acute injury and have significant swelling in the joint, you should elevate the affected area to heart level or as high as comfortably possible.
2. Compliant icing is key: frequent icing will help to reduce inflammation and swelling in the knee joint. Be careful to never apply ice directly to the skin because it can often cause ice burn. You can use the RE3 Ice Compression Pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time (or as prescribed by your health care professional) prior to surgery.
   
3. Exercise: it is incredibly important to be doing exercises to increase strength and flexibility around the knee joint to get the full benefit of your procedure. The stronger your knee is before your surgery the faster you will recover.

It is normal to be swollen and uncomfortable the first few days following your procedure.

One of the most effective ways to manage post-surgical pain is through the use of ice therapy and compression:

• Cold therapy early on in your recovery, primarily helps with pain relief & reducing swelling. This allows you to get back to exercise earlier, and ideally with an increased range of motion in the joint.

• Intermittent Compression therapyhelps to reduce swelling, control pain and improve the overall healing process. Compression garments are often supplied after a procedure and work by applying pressure to the affected area.

The RE3 Ice Compression Pack is designed to help you with both, and we've helped thousands of patients to manage pain & accelerate post-surgery recovery .

The RE3 Ice Compression Pack uses advanced cryotherapy technology, a technique used by professional athletes and coaches for decades. When the temperature of our body's tissue is kept at around 10 degrees Celsius, there is an immediate reduction in oxygen flow, inflammation, muscle spasm, and pain.

While common gel packs may provide some level of comfort and relief, most will not reduce the temperature of the skin to below 13 degrees.

Other packs using ice cannot be attached to the body in a way that is clinically effective – The RE3 Ice Compression Pack is designed to not only hold enough energy to be clinically effective but also offer comfort and mobility. It just makes icing effortless.

Unlike frozen peas packs or other ice packs on the market that will leak easily and leave your floor with puddles of water to clean, the RE3 will stay cold for hours before needing to be replaced.

The Ice Core Blankets are malleable even straight out of the freezer so they are perfect to mold around the surgical site. There is also an option to purchase extra ice core blankets or simply purchase the Surgical Value Pack (comes with 2 x Ice Core Blankets) for optimal rotation while icing.

The product has been thoughtfully designed to take patients’ specific needs into consideration.

• The neoprene brace is made of a premium soft fabrication to maximize comfort.
  
• The low profile velcro attachments are designed to hold your brace in position for optimal mobility.
• The travel case is waterproof and lightweight for easy transportation.

The RE3 Compression Pack has been used by orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists to help patients recover from surgery. It is highly recommended for its effectiveness in helping you get back on your feet again!