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. These guides exist to close that gap. Each one 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. If you are preparing for surgery, arrange your NICE1 rental at least seven days before your procedure date so the system is ready when you come home.
Clinical Standard
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.
What cold and compression therapy does — and why precision matters
Consistent delivery is what separates clinical results from improvised ice pack therapy.
Both therapies have been part of post-surgical orthopedic care for decades. What changed is the ability to deliver them together, precisely, at the correct temperature, for extended periods at home.
Controls inflammation at the surgical site
Cold 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.
Actively moves fluid and reduces swelling
Programmable 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 applied regardless of anatomy.
The Critical Recovery Window
72 Hours
Peak inflammatory response after orthopedic surgery
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.
What orthopedic surgeons say about NICE1
Two of Colorado's leading orthopedic surgeons on precision cold therapy and patient outcomes.
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. |
Recovery starts before surgery day
Patients with their NICE1 ready before surgery report a materially better first week.
Most patients order recovery equipment after surgery. The ones with the best first week had it ready before they went in.
Arrange your rental and select the right wrap. Have it set up and tested before surgery morning.
Start your first session within hours of arriving home. Inflammation begins immediately.
Sessions every few hours, including overnight. This is when the NICE1 outperforms ice packs most significantly.
Prevent swelling from rebuilding between physical therapy sessions. Keeps PT milestones on track.
Cold and compression after PT reduces session-induced inflammation and speeds tissue recovery between appointments.
What patients say
"ACL recovery is rough the first week. The NICE1 made nights manageable in a way ice bags simply could not. Consistent temperature all night. No waking up to repack. I was sleeping."
"Shoulder surgery in November. Road cycling by spring was the goal. The NICE1 became part of my daily routine after every PT session. I hit mobility milestones two weeks ahead of schedule."
"Having the NICE1 set up before my procedure made the first day home far less stressful. The swelling was less than I prepared for."
Ready to Recover
Your recovery starts before you go in.
The first 72 hours after surgery are when it matters most. Have your NICE1 ready before your procedure date.