Just went through multiple issues with my knees, meniscus tears, etc. You orthopedist, and the PT told me to ice. Instead I’ve been using an infrared heat band. I’ve made a AMAZING progress in my healing. I have a stationary bike but will look into an assault bike. Shipping containers are great! We have 240 footers and a 20 footer for my husband‘s business. We’ve been doing this instead of shipping containers for over 15 years. I’m gonna tell him I want my own container because I’ve outgrown my home gym!😆 Great info on best equipment.💪🏻

I never understood why we thought we could outsmart our body's natural response to injury. I also don't use NSAIDS to reduce fever unless it's dangerously high in my child.

I think this is a very nuanced discussion. There are some scenarios, particularly after orthopedic surgery, where inflammation is mal-adaptive and impedes recovery goals. As Kelly knows, the first several weeks after knee replacement is all about getting early motion into the system. Your body perceives a knee replacement as a huge injury and your knee will undoubtedly be swollen and inflamed. As a surgeon, I would much rather dampen the inflammatory response to make it easier for a patient to bend their knee in the first several weeks. I recognize that you are likely reducing the local concentration of growth factors, angiogenic factors etc with icing but that is a price Im willing to pay to ensure adequate early motion. Most important, as always, is to be thoughtful with your interventions. Every intervention has a cost and a benefit, including icing. It’s up to the patient and their practitioner team to make a thoughtful decision about what makes sense given goals, time constraints etc

I also feel the same about suppressing fevers. That said, when I’m backpacking if I don’t stretch and get in the cool water pretty soon after I stop for the day I’m miserable all evening. But if I stretch and then wade into the water hip deep for a half hour and paddle around I feel great all evening. (I backpack/ canoe camp in Northern Minnesota where the lakes are pretty cool all summer.)

You can't ignore swelling when you can't walk because your spinal cord is impinged, or your knee is still the size of a small watermelon going on 6 months. Maybe a bit more qualification on the no ice thing? For a home gym, you just need a bar and plates. If you can't lift it off the floor, you probably shouldn't (less dedicated power lifting). Ride your bike outside, regardless of the weather, it's better for you. Full disclosure, my home gym is a 2" diameter bar on jack stands, some plates, pull up rings on the ceiling, a 30" box, a heavy bag, and selection of bikes. Sometimes I think it is excessive.

I’m not knowledgeable as a professional at all on this topic, but I am a mountain biker who deals with injuries sometimes. For me, cold and anti inflammatory meds have always helped reduce pain, especially when the injury is fresh and hurting a lot. While I did hear that there may be better options for managing healing, I didn’t hear what other options there are for managing pain. Would love to find out about some of those so I don’t feel so compelled to reach for ice when it hurts. Like Kelly said, until I have another go-to strategy, I’ll stick with my current one. I’m open minded to non-cold solutions but I haven’t heard much about how pain management factors into this discussion.

Just had knee revision surgery for a tka and used no ice at all never used walker or cane. Day 15 post surgery and swelling going down way faster then when I used ice I have only used compression elevation and heating pad no Motrin Healing way faster

Say you've had a ruptured patellar tendon, and two months after surgery you still have consistent swelling, with swelling becoming especially bad after you do your physical therapy exercises. I found ice is pretty much the only thing that gets the swelling down where I can function on a regular basis. I've tried compression bands and they do nothing but irritate my skin and don't seem to allow for normal movement of the kneecap. Heat also does nothing. I'm curious what other possible solution one could use to control swelling if it needs to be done to function. I don't see how ignoring consistent swelling to the point where your knee is the size of a coconut is good advice, especially if alternatives like compression bands and heat do absolutely nothing.

Can you specifically address not icing as it relates to joint replacement surgery 😊

Since when? Why do doctors still tell us to do so?

No ice for acute injuries but ice bath for general health