Recovery Guides by Procedure. Know What's Ahead.
Procedure-specific guides covering recovery phases, swelling management, physical therapy milestones, and how to use the NICE1 at each stage.
Recovery is procedure-specific. So is the guidance.
The first 72 hours after surgery set the foundation for everything that follows.
Most patients prepare carefully for the surgery itself. The recovery period at home — when inflammation peaks, physical therapy begins, and the conditions for long-term outcomes get established — receives far less attention.
Each guide covers the specific biology of the procedure, phase-by-phase recovery expectations, how to integrate cold and compression therapy throughout, and what return to full function looks like when each phase is managed well.
Select your procedure below to read the full guide.
Arrange your NICE1 rental at least 7 days before your procedure date so the system is ready when you come home.
The NICE1 is trusted by professional sports organizations including the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers, Colorado Avalanche, Manchester United, and Atlanta Hawks — and is available to every patient through the rental program.
Select your procedure
Each guide covers anatomy, recovery phases, PT milestones, and a full cold and compression protocol.
ACL Reconstruction
Covers the critical quad activation window, graft healing phases, and return-to-sport criteria. Includes AMI mechanism and post-session protocol.
Knee Replacement
Covers early mobilization, flexion milestones, and swelling management through the strengthening phase.
Meniscus Surgery
Covers the critical difference between meniscectomy and repair — two procedures with very different timelines and weight-bearing protocols.
Rotator Cuff Repair
Covers tear classification, the tendon-to-bone healing window, sling phases, and why overnight cold therapy is critical for rotator cuff patients.
Shoulder Surgery
Covers labral repair, shoulder replacement, and SLAP repair. Includes frozen shoulder prevention and overnight protocol.
Hip Replacement
Covers early mobilization demands, precaution protocols by surgical approach, and managing post-activity inflammation.
Foot & Ankle Surgery
Covers ORIF, Achilles repair, ligament reconstruction, and bunion surgery. Includes the three-month post-operative adaptation phase.
Tommy John Surgery
Covers UCL reconstruction for baseball players and overhead athletes. Includes throwing progression milestones and elbow-specific cold therapy protocol.
NICE1 vs ice packs vs ice machines
The differences are most significant overnight, when consistent therapy is hardest to maintain with ice.
| Feature | NICE1 (Iceless) | Ice Packs | Ice Machines (Gravity-Fed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Held precisely all session via thermoelectric cooling. No ice needed. | Warms within 20–30 min. Constant replacement required. | Depends on ice fill. Degrades as ice melts over 1–2 hours. |
| Compression | Programmable pneumatic. Adjustable by procedure and recovery phase. | None. | None on most models. |
| Overnight use | Runs continuously. No interruption needed. | Requires waking every 30–60 minutes to repack. | Runs until ice depletes. Typically 1–2 hours then stops. |
| Ice required | No ice, ever. Fully electric. | Yes. Multiple times per day. | Yes. Needs refilling before every session. |
| Rental delivery | Local authorized distributors nationwide. Delivered before surgery day. | Any pharmacy. | National rental. Shipping required. No local support. |
What cold and compression therapy does — and why precision matters
Consistent delivery is what separates clinical results from improvised ice pack therapy.
Cold Therapy
Controls inflammation at the surgical siteCold constricts blood vessels near the surgical site, slows the inflammatory cascade, and reduces nerve signaling that causes pain. Temperature consistency matters — a session that warms unevenly delivers uneven results.
Pneumatic Compression
Actively moves fluid and reduces swellingProgrammable intermittent compression supports the lymphatic system in moving excess fluid away from the surgical site. Adjustable pressure settings calibrated to the specific procedure produce better outcomes than a fixed setting.
Consistent cold and compression therapy during this window produces the most significant reduction in post-op swelling and pain. Have your NICE1 ready before surgery day.
Recovery starts before surgery day
Patients with their NICE1 ready before surgery report a materially better first week.
Prepare
Arrange your rental and select the right wrap. Have it set up and tested before surgery morning.
Begin
Start your first session within hours of arriving home. Inflammation begins immediately.
Stay Consistent
Sessions every few hours, including overnight. This is when the NICE1 outperforms ice packs most significantly.
Maintain
Prevent swelling from rebuilding between physical therapy sessions. Keeps PT milestones on track.
Support
Cold and compression after PT reduces session-induced inflammation and speeds tissue recovery between appointments.
Rent a NICE1 in 3 Easy Steps
Get started with the leading iceless cold and compression therapy machine for a smarter recovery after orthopedic surgery.
Complete the Form
Fill out the form below with your info and zip code. We'll connect you with an authorized NICE1 distributor in your area.
Schedule Your Rental
Within 3–5 business days, your distributor will contact you to set up your rental date, delivery address, and duration.
Start Your Recovery
Your NICE1 unit arrives on time, so you're fully prepared for a stress-free recovery from day one.
Please allow at least 7 days before your surgery date to ensure on-time delivery.