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You may have a special shoulder sling after your shoulder
operation, called a Cryocuff.
A Shoulder Crycuff combines compression and local cold
therapy to lessen the swelling and inflammation after
surgery.
Patients also require less painkillers and have much less pain
with a Cryocuff.
Below is a photo of an athlete with a
Shoulder Cryocuff:
How to use a Shoulder Cryocuff:
1. Prepare Cooler
Connect the blue tube to the cooler. Add cold water to the
inside of the cooler with some ice. Lay the insulation disk on
top of the ice. Close cooler lid tightly. Allow 5 minutes with
occasional shaking to chill water.
2. Put on the EMPTY Cuff:
At first it is helpful to have another person assist with
this.
Attach the main straps around torso securing in front and behind
(Fig 1).
Secure the underarm strap (Fig 2).
Secure the front and back elastic straps (Fig 3). The elastic
straps can be opened during shoulder exercises.
3. Fill Cuff:
Connect the blue tube to the cuff. Open air vent on cooler
lid and raise cooler no more than 15 inches (38cm) above the
cuff (Fig. 4).
Hold raised cooler for about 30 seconds while the cuff fills.
Close air vent on cooler lid. The cooler can now be disconnected
from the cuff by pressing the metal tab on the quick-disconnect
while the cooler is raised.
4. Rechill Water:
At first rechill the water in the cuff by the above process
after 15 or 30 minutes, then once an hour or as needed.
Reconnect the blue tube to cuff, lower the cooler below cuff and
the warmed water will drain from the cuff into the cooler. Allow
a minute or two for the water to mix with the ice and rechil,
then raise the cooler and repeat the filling process (see step
3).l
Length of Use:
We recommend that for maximum benefit you use the Cryocuff:
- Day 1-3 after surgery - Continuously
- Days 4-7 - at night only, whilst sleeping
- Days 8-21 - After physiotherapy sessions only (for 2-4 hours)
Cautions:
- Do not use an elastic wrap with the Cryocuff
- Keep dressings under the cuff loose
- Check your skin under the cuff regularly
- Do not raise the cooler than higher than 15 inches above
the cuff.
- Release the cuff if any sense of discomfort, numbness or
tingling in the arm.
- Do not share the cuff with others. It is for single
patient use only.
Also see: Living with a Shoulder Sling
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