Post shoulder surgery pain can be excruciating. Below, we will help you get the best ice packs for shoulder surgery so that you can mitigate the pain and fast track the healing process.
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Nearly 53,000 people get shoulder surgery in the US every year. If you, too, have recently had shoulder surgery or suffered from a recent shoulder injury, you would likely be in a lot of pain.
An ice pack will help quicken the recovery and rehabilitation, as well as help you manage your pain. It will help increase blood flow and deaden the operated area so that you can relax for a bit while your shoulder heals.
If you search for the “best ice pack for shoulder surgery” on the internet, you will get nearly 9mn search results. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to waste your time sorting and sifting through all that just to end up selecting a poor product or an ice pack that doesn’t serve your purpose!
That’s why we spent nearly 3 days and checked out close to 40 products to select the best of the lot. We consulted with physiotherapists and took their advice to understand what kind of ice packs work well with shoulder surgery.
Below, we will present to you our findings. You will get to know:
- What to look for in an ice pack for shoulder surgery
- Answers to questions that people are asking on the internet about ice packs for post op care
- Detailed reviews with pros and cons and technical specifications of the seven best ice pack for shoulder surgery
What To Look For In The Best Ice Pack For Shoulder Surgery
Temperature Control
You should consider the temperature control or range of the ice pack before actually buying one, as some ice packs work equally well with hot and cold liquids.
On the other hand, some ice packs can only work with cooler liquids. You can select the ice pack that suits your needs. If you select the one compatible with both, you can perform both hot and cold compression on the affected area. This may be more suited in some cases.
Quality
The quality of your ice pack should also be top-notch. Ice packs that are durable and flexible tend to work properly for a longer time than ice packs that are rigid. Our research suggests that ice packs made from neoprene with an outer polyester bag are the best as both these materials are durable.
Ergonomics
The major concern with a strapped ice pack is the concern of fitting. Ice packs with an adjustable fitting or a stretchable material are far more appealing than any other type of ice packs.
The shoulder is a difficult area to strap on an ice pack. You need to get a special pack which has straps that can go under your other shoulder which are elastic (or have velcro). This will help keep the ice pack firmly in place so that it can have the desired effect.
Watch the video below which explain how a shoulder ice pack works:
Performance
The performance of the ice pack also plays a major role in the rehabilitation after shoulder surgery. Your shoulder needs to heal properly. To heal properly, joints like our shoulders and knees take some time. You can reduce this healing time by using some special ice packs and compression techniques.
Other features
In other features, you should consider purchasing ice packs that are sealed tightly and are spill proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are ice packs beneficial for shoulder injuries?
Ans: Yes, you can use an ice pack to treat and recover from shoulder injuries or shoulder surgeries. As shoulders are the joints that are constantly under pressure, you are required to devote more time and effort to heal completely.
Q2: For how long should you use an ice pack?
Ans: The time you should use an ice pack depends on the type of ice pack you are using or the type of shoulder injury you have. Generally, an ideal time for using an ice pack is at intervals of 15-20 minutes.
#1 Thermopeutic Shoulder Pack
Features
- Temperature control: 8/10
- Quality: 9/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Ergonomics: 8/10
- Other Features: 7/10
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 1.96 pounds
- Temperature Range: Extreme cold
- Dimensions: 9.76 x 8.9 x 2.6 inches
- Color: Blue
- Material: Neoprene, plastic
Bottom Line
You should buy this ice pack as it is completely leakproof. This makes it one of the best ice packs for shoulder surgery as the water would not leak on you even after intensive usage.
Pros
- This ice pack uses a non-toxic gel that maintains the hygiene and health of the user
- You will find this ice pack to be non-leaking
- It is made from a superior combination of plastic and neoprene
- The ergonomic design of this ice pack keeps the users comfortable at all times
- The design of this ice pack is suitable for compression on injuries and surgeries.
Cons
- Be careful and remember not to put this ice pack in a microwave
- Check the size of the ice pack before buying as it might be too tight for some users
Details
- Temperature control: One of the best features of this ice pack is that it keeps the water inside it extremely cold for a longer time. Due to this, you don’t have to change and refill the ice pack constantly.
- Quality: This ice pack is made from a combination of top-quality neoprene and plastic. Neoprene is a material that does not let the transfer of heat and cold from inside the pack to the exterior.
- Performance: You will find that this ice pack is leakproof. It will not leak any water. You can even use this ice pack while sleeping as it will not spill any fluids. Constant use of an ice pack will reduce the swelling and inflammation of your body after surgery.
- Ergonomics: This ice pack is 30% thicker in comparison to other ice packs. Due to this, there is less transfer of cold energy from inside the ice pack. The straps on this ice pack are also very soft and comfortable to wear for a long time.
- Other Features: This ice pack is considered one of the best ice packs for shoulder surgery as it has a non-toxic gel inside of it. This gel prevents the liquids inside the ice pack from getting toxic or harmful to you.
#2 Newgo Shoulder Ice Pack
Features
- Temperature control: 9/10
- Quality: 8/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Ergonomics: 9/10
- Other Features: 8/10
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 1.68 pounds
- Temperature Range: Hot and cold use
- Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.63 x 2.44 inches
- Color: Black
- Material: Neoprene
Bottom Line
This ice pack is suitable for both hot and cold liquids. You can use this ice pack for rehabilitation after your shoulder surgery, as cold and hot compression is an effective method for healing a muscle injury quicker.
Pros
- This ice pack is suitable for both hot and cold fluids
- It is made from medical-grade neoprene, due to which it’s durable
- It has an adjustable fitting so that you get a comfortable experience
- The design of this ice pack will improve the mobility of the muscles.
- The fabric or the strap on this ice pack is soft as well as stretchable.
Cons
- This ice pack is not waterproof, so you have to be careful while using this ice pack
- The neoprene ice pack might not be suitable for a certain skin type and may cause rashes
Details
- Temperature control: You can go both ways with this ice pack. This ice pack is suitable for both extremely hot as well as cold liquids. The liquids inside this ice pack will remain at the same temperature as the material of this ice pack does not allow the transfer of heat and cold energy.
- Quality: This ice pack is made from medical-grade quality neoprene. Due to the neoprene exterior, this ice pack can sustain extensive usage without any cuts, stains, or other types of physical damage.
- Performance: This ice pack can help cure inflammation and tightness with the help of compression therapy. Compression therapy involves using the ice pack on the affected area for a long time.
- Ergonomics: This ice pack is perfect for people with different body shapes and sizes as you also get an adjustable strap with this ice pack. You can easily adjust the strap and wear this ice pack around your shoulders and neck.
- Other Features: This ice pack also has another advantage in another type: it is friendly to all types of skin. You are very less likely to experience any types of rashes or allergies while using this ice pack.
You might like to read: Best Recliner For Shoulder Surgery
#3 Magic Gel Shoulder Ice Pack
Features
- Temperature control: 9/10
- Quality: 8/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Ergonomics: 7/10
- Other Features: 8/10
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Temperature Range: Hot and cold extremes
- Dimensions: 10.28 x 5.43 x 3.15 inches
- Color: Purple
- Material: Neoprene
Bottom Line
You should buy this ice pack for treating any injury or shoulder surgery as it can be custom fit according to your specifications. You can easily adjust the size of this ice pack according to your shoulders and enjoy instant relief from the pain and exertion.
Pros
- This ice pack is suitable for storing both hot and cold liquids
- It also has an adjustable strap, and this strap is useful for changing the size of the ice pack
- This ice pack remains flexible even when it is completely frozen
- It is suitable for skin types
Cons
- It might not fit on a few arms that are too bulky
- This ice pack might freeze if you put it in extreme cold
Details
- Temperature control:You can use this ice pack to store both types of liquids that are too cold or too hot. This is an extremely useful feature for the person that wants to use this ice pack for hot and cold compression.
- Quality: This ice pack is hand-stitched, which ensures that this pack is durable and long-lasting. This also makes this ice pack leakproof. People that have had shoulder surgery will find this useful as such injuries take time to heal properly.
- Performance: This ice pack consists of one of the thickest gels available in the market. This thick gel prevents the ice pack from freezing up. Cooling without heating is an effective way of treating cellular or nerve damage.
- Ergonomics: You will find this ice pack perfectly sized on your shoulders as you can adjust its size with the help of two velcro straps.
- Other Features: You will find that this ice pack is operational and flexible even if you freeze it completely. Due to this, the pack can easily still target the main pain points on your body to provide you instant relief.
#4 Thermopeutic Shoulder Ice Pack
Features
- Temperature control: 8/10
- Quality: 9/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Ergonomics: 8/10
- Other Features: 8/10
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 2.98 pounds
- Temperature Range: Extreme cold
- Dimensions: 12.83 x 7.95 x 2.76 inches
- Color: Black
- Material: Neoprene
Bottom Line
This ice pack is suitable enough to perform the RICE method for rehabilitation. You can perform this method on the injured part and feel better movement and less pain almost instantly.
Pros
- This ice pack keeps the water colder for a longer time
- It is made from strong and tough neoprene material due to which it remains durable
- The fitting on this ice pack is nice and comfortable because of its adjustability
- This ice pack is ideal for compression because of its unique design
- You will also get a lifetime warranty when you purchase this ice pack
Cons
- This ice pack is not suitable for keeping hot liquids hotter
- If you don’t adjust this ice pack properly to your body, then it would either be too loose or too tight
Details
- Temperature control: This ice pack will remain cold for a very long time because of its unique design and materials. The interior of this ice pack makes sure that the energy of the cold liquid does not escape the ice pack.
- Quality: The exterior of this ice pack is made from premium neoprene. This neoprene is a highly durable material that can sustain a lot of damage without any visible damage to the looks or quality of the ice pack.
- Performance: You will find that this ice pack ranks among the best for shoulder surgery as you can perform compression and elevate the muscles on the injured area.
- Ergonomics: The adjustable straps on this ice pack make it user-friendly and ergonomic. You can get form-fitting with this ice pack by adjusting its size and dimensions.
- Other Features: You will find this ice pack ideal for people with shoulder surgeries or injuries as you can easily follow the RICE method with this ice pack. This method involves a sufficient amount of Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevated.
You might like to read: Best Shirts For Shoulder Surgery
#5 Revix Shoulder Ice Pack
Features
- Temperature control: 8/10
- Quality: 9/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Ergonomics: 8/10
- Other Features: 8/10
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 2.97 pounds
- Temperature Range: -13 degrees celsius
- Dimensions: 8.82 x 6.77 x 3.66 inches
- Color: Purple
- Material: Plush and Nylon
Bottom Line
This ice pack is specially sealed from its sides, and due to this sealing, it will not spill or leak any water while you are using it. Spilling or leaking too cold water can also cause damage to your skin.
Pros
- This ice pack is a double-sided ice pack meaning it will provide you with efficient cooling from both sides
- For greater adjustability, you also get longer straps with this ice pack
- It also has a wide sealed edge, and this sealed edge makes this ice pack spillproof
- This ice pack will remove the pain naturally because of its unique design
- It is 30% thicker than the standard ice packs available on the market
Cons
- This ice pack may not fit everybody perfectly
- It can be uncomfortable for some users
Details
- Temperature control: This ice pack can easily withstand low temperatures such as -13 degrees Celsius without freezing. Moreover, this ice pack also provides you with a cooling effect from both sides. Due to this feature, you can use this ice pack to treat multiple parts at once.
- Quality: This ice pack has a plush and soft fabric. The plush and soft fabric is comfortable for people with all kinds of skin types. There is also less chance of suffering from a rash or allergy.
- Performance: This ice pack is tightly sealed, due to which there is no water leakage. You will also find that this ice pack is 30% thicker than a standard ice pack, due to which it can retain the coldness of the liquid for a very long time.
- Ergonomics: You also get a pretty long strap with this ice pack. This strap has an additional feature of adjustability. You can increase the width of the pack according to the size of your shoulders.
- Other Features: In other additional features of this ice pack, you get a unique and innovative design that reduces pain and stress on your muscles. While using this ice pack, you will get a higher compression rate than any other ice pack.
#6 Hilph Shoulder Surgery Ice Pack
Features
- Temperature control: 9/10
- Quality: 8/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Ergonomics: 7/10
- Other Features: 8/10
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 1.19 pounds
- Temperature Range: Hot and cold
- Dimensions: 19.7 x 9.3 x 0.2 inches
- Color: Blue
- Material: Nylon
Bottom Line
One of the most convenient and unique things about this ice pack is that you can wear it on your shoulders, and you are not required to hold the ice pack with your hands.
Pros
- It is suitable for hot and cold therapy.
- You can easily wear this ice pack on your shoulder
- You will get pain relief because of the cooling of this ice pack
- This ice pack will not freeze even in very cold conditions
- It also has a high-quality nylon fabric fitting
Cons
- According to some users, this ice pack is not for females
- It has a gel inside it that might leak if there are massive cuts on the ice pack
Details
- Temperature control: You can use this ice pack for hot and cold compression as you can store liquids that are very hot or cold in this ice pack. If you have had shoulder surgery, you can use this ice pack to improve your range of motion with an increased blood flow.
- Quality: You get a high-quality nylon ice pack. This nylon makes this ice pack easy to wear around. You can use this ice pack for a long time consistently as it is very rugged and tough.
- Performance: Cold therapy is an effective way of recovering after surgery or an injury. Using this method will reduce the flow of blood in the affected areas. It will also help you by removing the pain as there will be reduced inflammation.
- Ergonomics: This ice pack is also filled with a gel. This gel is responsible for keeping the fluids hot or cold. You can also adjust the size of this ice pack with an adjustable nylon strap.
- Other Features: This ice pack will not freeze even in extremely cold conditions. Ice packs that freeze in such conditions are not considered to be very good. They are also considered to be harmful as they can leak anytime and anywhere.
#7 World-Bio Shoulder Pack
Features
- Temperature control: 8/10
- Quality: 8/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Ergonomics: 9/10
- Other Features: 8/10
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 12.3 ounces
- Temperature Range: -18° celsius
- Dimensions: 9.65 x 6.1 x 0.79 inches
- Color: Blue
- Material: Nylon
Bottom Line
This ice pack is a gel ice pack that can maintain a very cool temperature of the liquids. You can use this ice pack even at -18 degrees celsius.
Pros
- Suitable for use at extremely cold temperatures
- This ice pack has a snug design, due to which you can get high compression.
- This ice pack is non-toxic and safe for use
- The design of this ice pack is unique for your comfort and ease
- This ice pack is also latex-free and very durable
Cons
- You will also find this ice pack to be easily adjustable
- Adjust this ice pack accordingly to get an effective treatment
Details
- Temperature control: This ice pack is designed to work efficiently even in extremely cold conditions without freezing. You can use this ice pack at -18 degrees celsius.
- Quality: This ice pack is made without any latex, and hence it is very durable and tough. Due to this reason, this ice pack is also gentle on all types of skin.
- Performance: You will also find that this ice pack uses non-toxic and safe materials. The gel inside this ice pack also prevents the internal fluids from leaking out.
- Ergonomics: There are adjustable straps on this ice pack. You can use these straps to adjust the ice pack so that it fits your shoulders perfectly.
- Other Features: This ice pack has a unique snug design, due to which you get a high compression feeling. This compression helps you to reduce the inflammation and pain in the affected area.
My Top 3 Picks
After the shoulder surgery, an ice pack is a must as it helps alleviate pain in the operated area and also helps in reducing swelling. Above we have mentioned the top seven ice packs for shoulder surgery, but just to make the choice, even more, easier, our top three picks are below:
The best option is the Thermopeutic Shoulder Pack. This is because this ice pack keeps the water inside it extremely cold for a longer time. Due to this, you don’t have to change and refill the ice pack constantly.
The Newgo Shoulder Ice Pack is another great choice. This ice pack is suitable for both extremely hot as well as cold liquids. The liquids inside this ice pack will remain at the same temperature as the material of this ice pack does not allow the transfer of heat and cold energy.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Magic Gel Shoulder Ice Pack, which offers all the great features at a very reasonable price point.
