Reusing polar care ice machine from previous surgery

Aerial · September 04, 2011, 12:59:47 PM

I had arthroscopic hip surgery a year ago and got a Kodiak Polar Care ice machine for that surgery. Does anyone know if I can reuse that unit for my hip surgery? I wonder if there are restrictions about bringing a unit into the hospital from a germ/infection standpoint It would be a shame to have to buy another one. My insurance paid for it last time but if such a thing is billed again, I can't imagine they will pay for it again. Plus that would be a landfill hazard and wasteful in my opinion. Just curious. It was of great help last time with swelling even though it chewed through ice like crazy.

littleb · September 05, 2011, 08:54:18 PM

They will keep you well iced at the hospital so you won't need anything extra there. Clean it up well and have it ready when you come home. You will appreciate it then.

einreb · September 05, 2011, 10:02:50 PM

Quote from: littleb on September 05, 2011, 08:54:18 PM
They will keep you well iced at the hospital so you won't need anything extra there. Clean it up well and have it ready when you come home. You will appreciate it then.

Depends on the Doctor... my doc requested that purchase one ahead of time bring one with me (I purchased it at his office in my pre-op meeting) and they used it at the hospital and I took it home with me.

To the original post... I cant imagine that you couldn't reuse it. Ask your surgeon and scrub it down just to be sure?

newdog · September 05, 2011, 11:58:35 PM

I bought a used machine on eBay. I wondered the same thing. Would the doc/hospital accept a used device? They did. I just made sure it was clean, which it was when I received it from the seller. They had no problem at all with it and never said anything about it being a used one. I would still ask them to be sure.

Aerial · September 06, 2011, 07:50:30 PM

Good news on reusing it. I am hoping to use Dr. Gross as my surgeon. I have an appointment this Thursday to see if I am a candidate. I also have a friend who had a THR recently, she is going to let me use her shower aid, toilet raiser and sock "put-on-er". I thought I read on Dr. Gross's website he wanted you to buy these things. I am really into "reuse/recycle" and am happy to borrow her devices if I can.

Anniee · September 06, 2011, 08:00:24 PM

I bought the Polar Care for my first surgery on my right hip, and I certainly intend to use it again for my left hip. I had to bring it to the hospital, and they put it on before I woke up from the surgery, so you do need to bring it with you if you decide to use Dr. Gross.
I hope you post after your appointment with him this week!