CryoPush - Knee Ice Compression Machine
Recovering from knee surgery is hard enough without having to manage pain and swelling with a bag of frozen peas. The CryoPush ice compression machine combines consistent cold therapy with intermittent compression to reduce swelling, manage pain and get your rehabilitation moving sooner — the same technology used in clinic-grade systems like the Game Ready, available to hire and use at home.
Recommended by surgeons and physiotherapists for recovery after ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, knee replacement and knee arthroscopy, the CryoPush is one of the most effective tools you can have at home in the first weeks after surgery. Available with a targeted knee wrap or full leg sleeve depending on your needs.
RecoveryTec offers CryoPush ice machine hire in Christchurch with delivery across Selwyn and North Canterbury, and nationwide shipping available throughout New Zealand.
How does the CryoPush ice compression machine work?
The CryoPush works by circulating cold water through a wrap fitted securely around your knee, delivering consistent cold therapy combined with intermittent compression. You simply fill the reservoir with water and ice, attach the wrap, and the machine pumps the cold water through while applying gentle compression to the joint.
This combination of cold and compression is more effective than ice packs alone - cold therapy reduces blood flow to the area to limit swelling and inflammation, while the intermittent compression actively helps move fluid away from the joint and improves circulation. The result is more effective swelling management, better pain relief, and a more comfortable recovery.
The CryoPush is available with a targeted knee wrap for focused treatment, or a full leg sleeve for more extensive coverage after surgery. It's simple to use at home with no clinical supervision required.
How long should I use an ice machine after knee surgery?
Most people use cold compression therapy for the first two to four weeks after knee surgery, when swelling and inflammation are at their highest. During the first few days after surgery, using the CryoPush for 30–60 minutes per session, two to three times a day is a commonly recommended starting point for managing post-operative swelling.
As your recovery progresses, you can continue using it once or twice daily — particularly after physiotherapy exercises or any increased activity that causes the knee to swell. Using it before rehab sessions can also help reduce inhibition and improve muscle activation, which is especially important for getting the quadriceps firing again after ACL or knee replacement surgery.
Because recovery timelines vary depending on the type of surgery, we always recommend following the specific advice of your surgeon or physiotherapist alongside your hire.
Whats the difference between the knee wrap and full leg attachment?
The CryoPush system is available with either a targeted knee wrap or a premium full leg attachment, depending on your recovery needs. The knee wrap is ideal for focused treatment, delivering cold compression directly to the joint for conditions like ACL injuries, meniscus tears, or general knee pain. The full leg attachment, on the other hand, provides coverage from the upper thigh down to the calf, helping to reduce swelling throughout the entire limb while also promoting better circulation and muscle recovery. This makes it a great option after surgery or for more extensive injuries. For those wanting the added benefit of full-leg recovery, the premium attachment is available for an additional $20 per week.
What surgeries and injuries is the CryoPush ice machine used for?
The CryoPush is suitable for a wide range of knee, ankle and shoulder surgeries and injuries. As physiotherapists, we're always happy to chat through your specific situation if you're unsure whether it's the right fit for your recovery.
ACL reconstruction
Meniscus repair
Knee replacement
Knee arthroscopy
Ligament injuries and knee sprains
General knee swelling and inflammation
General Cold compression therapy is also widely used for any post-surgical swelling, soft tissue injuries and sports-related strains where managing inflammation early is important for recovery.
If your surgery or injury isn't listed here, get in touch — as physiotherapists we can advise whether cold compression therapy is appropriate for your situation and which wrap or attachment would suit you best.
Can I use a CryoPush ice machine after ACL surgery?
Yes — cold compression therapy is one of the most widely recommended tools for ACL surgery recovery. After ACL reconstruction, the knee typically experiences significant swelling that directly inhibits quadriceps activation, a phenomenon known as arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Managing that swelling early is critical to getting your quad firing again and progressing your rehabilitation.
The CryoPush delivers the same style of cold compression therapy recommended by surgeons and physiotherapists for post-ACL recovery — combining consistent cooling with intermittent compression to reduce swelling, manage pain and support earlier rehabilitation. Many of our customers hire a CryoPush specifically for ACL recovery, often alongside a Compex muscle stimulator or BFR cuffs for a more complete recovery setup.
How is the CryoPush different from a Game Ready machine?
The CryoPush and Game Ready work on exactly the same principle — both combine cold therapy with intermittent compression to reduce swelling, manage pain and support recovery after surgery. If your surgeon or physiotherapist has recommended a Game Ready machine for your post-operative recovery, the CryoPush delivers the same style of treatment.
The key difference is cost and accessibility. Game Ready machines are expensive pieces of clinical equipment — which is why most people only access them in a hospital or clinic setting. The CryoPush gives you that same cold compression therapy at home, at a fraction of the cost, for as long as you need it during your recovery.
Hiring a CryoPush ice compression machine from RecoveryTec means you can use it multiple times a day, every day, from the comfort of your own home — which is ultimately what makes the biggest difference to your recovery. Consistency of treatment is far easier to achieve when the equipment is right there with you rather than at a clinic across town.
Our CryoPush machines are recommended by Christchurch surgeons and physiotherapists for post-operative recovery after ACL reconstruction, knee replacement, meniscus repair and other knee surgeries — and we're physios ourselves, so you're in good hands.
FAQs
-
Most people use an ice machine after knee surgery for the first 1–3 weeks, when swelling and inflammation are typically highest.
During the first few days after surgery, many patients use cold compression therapy for 30–60 minutes per session, 2–3 times per day to help control swelling and manage pain.
As recovery progresses, the machine can continue to be used once or twice daily, particularly after physiotherapy exercises or increased activity when the knee may become swollen.
Always follow the specific advice provided by your surgeon or physiotherapist, as recovery timelines can vary depending on the type of surgery.
For more information check out our blog post on it here
-
RecoveryTec is based in Christchurch, New Zealand. We deliver and set up equipment across Christchurch, Selwyn and North Canterbury, with pickup and drop-off points available in Lincoln and Belfast.
For anyone outside of Christchurch, we ship our ice compression machines and recovery equipment nationwide by courier — so wherever you are in New Zealand, you can access professional-grade cold compression therapy at home.
To arrange hire, simply fill out the contact form and we'll get back to you to confirm availability and delivery details.
-
Many surgeons and physiotherapists recommend using an ice machine after knee surgery to help manage pain, swelling, and inflammation during the early stages of recovery.
Procedures such as ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, knee arthroscopy, and knee replacement surgery commonly cause swelling around the knee joint. Excess swelling can make it difficult to bend the knee, activate the quadriceps muscles, and begin early rehabilitation exercises.
A cold compression ice machine, such as the CryoPush system, combines consistent cold therapy with intermittent compression. This helps move fluid away from the joint, reduce inflammation, and improve comfort after surgery.
Compared to traditional ice packs, a cold compression machine provides more consistent cooling and gentle compression around the entire knee, which can make it easier to manage swelling during the first few weeks after surgery.
Many patients choose to hire an ice machine for knee surgery recovery, allowing them to use cold compression therapy regularly at home while they focus on their physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
RecoveryTec offers CryoPush ice machine hire in Christchurch, making it easy for patients to access professional cold compression therapy during knee surgery recovery.
-
Hiring a CryoPush ice compression machine for knee surgery recovery is straightforward with no bond or deposit required.
Hire rates
First week — $120
Additional weeks — $80 per week
Full leg wrap upgrade — $20 per week additional
Delivery and pickup — Christchurch and Selwyn
Delivery and pickup to your home — $40
Collect and drop off at our Lincoln or Belfast location — Free
Outside of Christchurch We ship nationwide. Courier costs vary depending on your location — get in touch and we'll confirm the exact cost before you book.
Hire can be extended at any time — just let us know and we'll sort it out. Recovery doesn't always run to a fixed timeline and we're flexible around that.
Ready to book? Head to our contact form and we'll get back to you to confirm availability and arrange delivery.
-
Booking is simple. Head to our contact form, fill in your details and let us know which equipment you need and when you need it. We'll get back to you as soon as possible to confirm availability and arrange a delivery time that works for you.
We do our best to accommodate last-minute requests — so even if your surgery is coming up soon or has already happened, it's always worth getting in touch.
Once confirmed, we'll deliver the machine to your home and walk you through exactly how to use it so you feel confident from day one. Full instructions are included with all equipment and we're always available by phone if you have any questions during your hire.
There's no bond or deposit required. Hire is weekly and can be extended as many times as you need — just let us know.