Knee ice packs have designs to provide you with sharp relief from injuries. They may also give off treatments for post-surgeries, sprains, strains, sports injuries, and soft tissue damage.
The situation may be very overwhelming to search for the right ice packs for your knee that will meet your needs.
Also, it will be challenging to choose. But, we have made it simpler for you to bring together the best ice packs for knee. If you are not sure to begin, you have to see our recommendations and reviews we have listed.
Different Types Of Ice Packs For Your Knees
There are a few ways to treat your knee injuries through ice therapy. Here, we will share some of the most efficient ice wraps. There are a lot of kinds of expert-designed ice wraps to single-use disposable ice bags.
There are five different types of ice packs we are going to discuss here. Here is the list of ice wraps to find the best one for you:
- Compression/ Ice Packs: You may mix compression with cold therapy.
- Ice Bags: You have to fill up the bag with water or ice and apply it to the affected area. Take note that the bag is reusable.
- Reusable Ice/ Heat Packs: You may select between heat or cold therapy.
- Cryo Cuff: It is one of the best tools for ice therapy.
- Instant Ice Packs: They are ideal for people who are out and about and have little time to prepare.
Top Things To Consider Before Buying Ice Packs
Here are a few crucial facts to consider before you purchase your ice pack for the knee. Here are some of the things you have to keep in mind:
Determine The Type Of Injury You Have
Every injury will make a difference and wraps will provide all of your needs. Some will have compression choices where others don’t. Some may have full coverage while others don’t offer any.
Also, depending on your injury, you might need a knee sleeve or even a knee brace.
Consider If You Are Wearing An Ice Pack While Moving
You have to think about how you will try wearing an ice wrap while you are moving. Some ice packs for knee will not be suitable for those who may want to retain their daily activities while receiving treatment.
Ask Yourself If You Need Ice Bags That Are Transportable
Other wraps will be lightweight and easier to handle than other versions. So, if your concern is your movements while healing, then get an ice cover that you can still able to retain your motion.
The Sizing Of Your Ice Wrap
For the sizes, you need to always read the sizing before buying one. All of the sizes may differ from one another. Remember that there will be no universal sizing chart for ice wraps.
Consider Buying An Extra One
If you think that you are going to need ice packs frequently, then you may purchase an additional cover that you may store just in case you need one.
While you use the first bag, you may have the other one stored in your freezer, so it will be ready to go when needed.
Features To Look For In The Best Ice Packs For Knee Injuries:
Capacity To Keep The Right Temperature
It is crucial for the ice pack to keep its long-lasting effect, whether in hot or cold therapy. Otherwise, you will find it challenging to reheat and refreeze it back again.
Comfort
Your knee will become tender once injured, so you may want to have an ice pack with a smooth material. Also, make sure that it is non-irritating to the skin.
Durability
Take note that you have to keep the ice packs post-surgery for an extended time. So, you have to make sure that it will last a long time and will hold up for everyday use.
Also, the cover should be machine washable or able to keep the pack sanitary and sterile.
Adjustability
Securing your heat or ice pack to an injured knee is vital. So, you may want to get a product that will stay put securely in a faster recovery. Also, you need to buy an ice pack that will adapt to certain changes in the size of your swollen knee.
Treatment Options For Knee Injuries
Home remedies may help you relieve swelling, pain, and stiffness. Here’s what you need to do:
Rest
You have to have some rest and protect the swollen area. You may stop for a while from activities that may worsen the situation. When at rest, you also have to put a pillow below your knee.
Ice
The cold will lessen the swelling and pain. Next, you have to put cold or ice packs directly to avoid or decrease the swelling. You have to apply a cold or ice pack for up to 20 minutes for three times each day.
Compression
You can wrap around the injured or sore area using an elastic bandage or ice wrap. It will lessen the swelling.
Elevate
You have to raise the sore or injured area using pillows as you apply ice while you are lying down. Then, try to make the area just on top of the level of your heart. It will lessen the pain and swelling.
Decrease The Stress On The Sore Knee
Until you get advice for the treatment of your injury from your physician, you have to use a crutch or a cane. Utilize it in the hand that is opposite to your injured knee.
Also, you may use two crutches. They will keep the weight off the leg with the injured knee. You may use it when the cane may cause you to move with a limp.
Slowly Massage The Area
It will lessen the pain and facilitate blood flow. Do not ever rub the injured knee if it leads to suffering.
Follow The Exercises To Promote Flexibility
You may try knee-to-chest workout and hamstring stretch.
Do Not Attempt Strenuous Exercises
You may stop high-impact activities in a while, including skiing, running, snowboarding, etc., until your knee is free from swelling and pain.
Our Five Top Choices
Here is the list of the top ice bags you will need for your injured knee:
The Coldest Water Ice Pack Gel
The Coldest Water Ice Pack Gel is specially made for cold therapy. For quicker recovery of injuries, strains, sprains, and soreness. Also, it helps to heal pain, back aches, and soreness.
It is ideal for head, back, calf, ankles, thigh, and chest injuries. It is a reusable ice pack, so all you have to do is to freeze it up to 2 hours. Then, you can apply it for a maximum of 20 minutes.
Also, it facilitates coldness all throughout your body evenly. So, it makes this ice pack perfect for high performers, athletes, gym-goers, adults, and even kids. You are able to get it for a very reasonable price on Amazon.com.
PROS
- I have used tons of ice packs. But, none of them impressed me the way The Coldest Water ice packs did.
- It is easy to use, and it will heal the different pain in your body.
- Also, the pack is durable and reusable. You can just freeze it for a few hours, and you can directly use it.
- It molds to your body properly so that it can absorb the coldness easily.
CONS
- While this ice pack will stay cold for a long time, it has three chambers that will prevent it from forming your joints. So, it will be quite challenging to apply it on your joints.
Simple Spectra Ice Pack Gel Wrap
The Simple Spectra ice pack comes with adjustable sizes that will fit small and large muscles and joints. The pack is perfect for post-workout recovery and injuries. Also, it will relieve chronic body pain.
The ice bag is reusable, so it stays colder or warmer for an extended period. The clay and nylon materials remain flexible for convenient and easy use.
All you need to do is to reheat this for 2 minutes, and you can have a hot therapy for at least 10 minutes. On the other hand, for cold therapy, you may freeze it for 30 minutes.
Rest assured, this bag promises a moisture-free wrap designed to insulate the temperature for long periods. Plus, it comes with a non-slip wrap that has Velcro straps so that you can move around.
PROS
- I have to say that the materials used with this pack are of excellent quality.
- The mesh of the pack will avoid any burns.
- Also, it starts to cool or heat easily. So, it is perfect for a hot or cold therapy.
- The wrap will also stay in place on various parts of your body. So, you won’t get worried when you move from one place to another.
CONS
- A downfall would be at times, it may get a little too stiff, especially if the affected parts are large muscles and joints.
- Slightly more on the expensive side, click to check its current price
FlexiKold Gel Cold Pack
The FlexiKold ice pack comes in four different sizes: standard, half size, oversize, and neck contour cold pack. Also, it will stay cold for a longer time. Furthermore, it offers its flexibility.
The high-quality gel interior will remain resilient when frozen so that it will mold to any parts of your body. It boasts its premium construction. In fact, it has a double seal to avoid any leakage. Also, it comes with a super thick exterior made of nylon. And lastly, it is reusable and washable. It also happens to be one of the cheaper ice packs in this review.
PROS
- I love this ice pack because of its high-quality materials.
- Also, it will easily take the shape of your body parts for longer cold therapy sessions.
- What I also like about this pack is that it has four various sizes. So, it will fit both petite and big sizes.
CONS
- A deal breaker for me about this product is I still have to fix the leakage. It may not be too bothersome, but it can get to your bandage so easily.
TheraPAQ Pain Relief Ice Pack
The TheraPAQ ice bag is essential for those people who are looking for both hot and cold packs rolled into one product. The ice pack is reusable and adjustable. Its Velcro straps molds all of your body parts.
So, it is a first aid kit necessity at home, especially in cases of injuries. You can also reheat and refreeze the pack whenever you need it. So, for a faster relief anywhere and anytime you want, you should get this ice pack.
Another reasonably priced option, also consider TheraPAQ's foot and ankle relief package which sells for around 10 dollars more. Click here if you want to see the price of both options.
PROS
- You can use this ice pack so easily since it will take the contour of your body quickly.
- Also, the Velcro straps will increase the security and protection that the bag brings.
- You can use this pack for both cold and hot therapies.
- Moreover, it works well for all kinds of body pain and injuries.
CONS
- What I dislike about it is that the product may not be too flexible when you freeze it for a couple of hours.
Perfect Remedy Ice Packs
The Perfect Remedy ice packs already include two gel packs. So, you can have an additional pack ready in cases of injuries. These are reusable so that you can use it for extended periods.
Also, they are flexible even when frozen. You can even use them for hot and cold therapies. Lastly, they come with a comfortable Velcro wrap. It will place the pack on your affected area securely. A cheap, but less durable option, available on Amazon.com.
PROS
- I have been using these packs for quite some time now. And I can say that they are efficient to use for body aches.
- Also, these products are also malleable, meaning you they can take the shape of your body parts.
- Then, the packs will stay cold for a long period so that it won’t disappoint a cold therapy.
CONS
- What I do not like about this product is that the strap of the packs starts to rip off after a few uses.
Conclusion
Cold therapy, or what we often call as cryotherapy, is the use of low temperature for various purposes. You can use this for different, surprising conditions, especially injuries.
I hope that I made the overwhelming task of choosing the right ice pack a little bit easier. I myself own the Coldest Water Ice Pack Gel and I consider it to be the best ice pack for knees ever! Not only that it cools easily, but it will provide efficient function when it comes to cryotherapy.
Rest assured, the swelling and pain on the parts will subside in no time!