After ACL surgery · Original Game Ready · Delivered and collected across Hong Kong
Cold therapy machine
rental after ACL surgery,
the machine used in pre-operative physiotherapy
The first weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are the most swollen and painful. The machine strapped to the knee in pre-operative physiotherapy, which circulates chilled water automatically and applies intermittent compression, is the original Game Ready GRPro 2.1, and it can be rented for use at home.HK$5,000 for the first month, including home delivery and teaching by a registered physiotherapist until the patient can operate it, then HK$100 per day. The minimum rental is only one month, which covers the stage when the machine is most needed. Rental requires a doctor’s referral letter stating that the patient is fit for ice and compression therapy.
- Original GRPro 2.1
- Articulated ACL knee wrap (ankle, shoulder and hip wraps also available)
- Therapist delivers and teaches at home
- Doctor’s referral letter required
- Machines currently available: 2 (updated 21 July 2026)
Clear pricing
Rental fee and deposit after ACL surgery
Rental fees PRICING
Where does this price come from? An established rental company in the United States charges about US$775 (about HK$6,000) for 4 weeks of the same system, sent by post with the user setting it up (Medcom Group price list). Buying a control unit with a knee wrap costs about US$3,500 in the United States and about HK$40,000 in Greater China. Our first month of HK$5,000 includes home delivery and teaching until the patient can operate the machine, and use continues at HK$100 per day after that. We consider this a reasonable price for a month of home use after ACL surgery.
The number of machines is limited and they are given on a first-come basis. You can message us the dates of surgery and discharge, and we will reply with availability as soon as we can.
WhatsApp to check availabilityResearch after ACL reconstruction
Evidence for cold compression after ACL surgery
Three benefits are supported by studies after ACL reconstruction: less pain medication, less effusion with compression, and recovery of knee flexion. The studies compared a cold compression machine with traditional ice packs or static compression.
Clinical studies after ACL reconstruction EVIDENCE
A meta-analysis of 10 randomised trials in knee surgery found that the pain-relief and swelling advantage of compression cryotherapy is concentrated in the early post-operative period (Song 2016). The first weeks after returning home from hospital are when the machine is most needed, which is why the minimum rental period is one month. A study-by-study comparison of cold machines, ice packs and compression is available in our article on whether cold machines are effective after knee replacement (the research is mostly in knee replacement, and the mechanism is the same). The machine works best when combined with daily active bending and straightening of the knee and quadriceps training.
Mainly the knee wrap · four original wraps
The ACL knee wrap and other suitable operations
The control unit circulates chilled water to a close-fitting wrap and applies intermittent pneumatic compression at the same time. ACL reconstruction uses the articulated knee wrap, which covers the whole knee joint and the wound area. Ankle, shoulder and hip wraps are also available. When renting, tell us which one is needed.
Knee
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
- Posterior cruciate ligament and multi-ligament reconstruction, meniscus repair
- After knee arthroscopy and after total or partial knee replacement
Ankle
- After ankle fracture fixation
- After ligament repair surgery
- Swelling stage after a severe ankle sprain
Shoulder
- After rotator cuff repair
- After shoulder joint surgery
Hip
- After total hip replacement
- After hip surgery (the wrap covers the hip and groin)
From enquiry to deposit refund
Game Ready rental process
From the enquiry to the deposit refund, the same registered physiotherapists who provide home physiotherapy follow the rental through, so the patient is never left to work out the machine alone.
Confirm availability and the referral letter on WhatsApp
The number of machines is limited and they are given on a first-come basis. Tell us the date of surgery, the wrap needed and the start date, and we will confirm availability. The treating orthopaedic doctor also needs to write in a referral letter that the patient is fit for ice and compression therapy. A photo of the letter is enough for us to check. The pre-operative follow-up or discharge is the easiest time to ask.
The therapist delivers the machine and teaches its use
A registered physiotherapist brings the machine to the home, demonstrates how to fit the knee wrap, set the time, temperature and pressure, and add ice and change the water, and leaves only when the patient or family can operate it. Patients who used the same type of machine before surgery can usually manage after one demonstration. Patients who already have home physiotherapy booked can have the assessment done during the same visit.
Daily use at home
In the first weeks after ACL surgery the machine is used in several sessions a day. The therapist advises on the number and length of sessions according to the patient’s condition. Stop at once if the skin becomes numb, turns pale or looks abnormal. If the calf suddenly becomes hot and swollen with increasing pain, or the wound oozes or turns red, stop using the machine and seek medical attention.
Book collection when finished and receive the deposit back
Book a time on WhatsApp. The therapist comes to collect the machine and checks it, and the deposit is refunded in full if the equipment is in good condition. After collection the whole set is cleaned and disinfected before it is rented to the next user.
Before renting
Cold therapy evidence and rehabilitation after surgery
This machine can help the patient through the first weeks, when swelling and pain are at their worst, but returning to sport still depends on rehabilitation training. You can read the related articles below.
Evidence on cold therapy (research is mostly in knee replacement, same mechanism) 01
Physiotherapy after surgeryHome rehabilitation after surgery and the principles of early movementOther suitable operations (ankle, shoulder and hip wraps) 03
Knee replacement recovery guideThe knee wrap also suits this: first 6 weeks, flexion goals, quadricepsPhysiotherapy after total hip replacementThe hip wrap suits this: walking and preventing dislocation after hip replacementPhysiotherapy after shoulder surgeryThe shoulder wrap suits this: rotator cuff repair and other shoulder surgeryFAQ · Rental after ACL surgery
Rental after ACL surgery: common questions
How is the rental fee calculated? Is a deposit required?
The first month costs HK$5,000, which includes home delivery, teaching by a registered physiotherapist and home collection with disinfection after use. After the first month the charge is HK$100 per day, and the minimum rental period is 1 month. A deposit of HK$5,000 is also charged and is refunded in full when the equipment is returned in good condition.
After ACL surgery, how does a cold compression machine differ from an ordinary ice pack?
A randomised controlled trial in ACL reconstruction compared the two directly. In the group using the cold compression machine, 83% had stopped narcotic pain medication by 6 weeks after surgery, compared with 28% in the ice pack group (Waterman 2012). Another study measured with MRI and found that the cryopneumatic compression group had less pain and less joint effusion on day 4 after surgery (Yang 2023). The chilled water also circulates automatically at a steady temperature, so ice packs do not need frequent changing and the low temperature stays stable overnight. The original knee wrap covers the whole knee and the wound area, so cold and pressure are spread evenly.
Is it the same machine that was used in pre-operative physiotherapy?
If the machine used before surgery circulated chilled water automatically and applied intermittent compression above the knee, it is very likely a Game Ready system. We rent the original GRPro 2.1 control unit with the original articulated knee wrap. When renting, tell the therapist about the earlier experience of using the machine, so that the teaching can follow similar settings.
When is it most useful to start, and how long a rental is enough?
The first few weeks after ACL reconstruction are the most swollen and painful, and the pain-relief and swelling advantage of compression cryotherapy is concentrated in the early post-operative period (Song 2016). Use can usually begin when the patient returns home from hospital, and 1 month of rental covers this window. If use needs to continue, the charge after the first month is HK$100 per day.
Is a doctor’s note needed before renting?
Yes. Cold therapy carries a risk of frostbite, so a doctor’s referral letter is required before renting, stating that the patient is fit for ice and compression therapy. The orthopaedic doctor can usually write this at the pre-operative follow-up or at discharge. If you are not sure how to ask, send us a WhatsApp message first and the therapist will explain how to put it to the doctor.
How is hygiene taken care of?
After each collection, the control unit and the wrap are cleaned and disinfected before they are rented out again. At handover the therapist demonstrates daily care (adding ice, changing the water and drying the unit), and the equipment is checked on the spot when it is returned.
Is there a delivery charge? Which areas are covered?
Home delivery and collection are included in the first-month rental, and the service covers all of Hong Kong. For some remote areas, please check availability and arrangements on WhatsApp first.
If you would like to book a machine, or are not sure whether your situation is suitable, send us a message and a physiotherapist will answer your questions.
WhatsApp to check availabilityFirst month $5,000 · then $100 per day · deposit $5,000 · doctor’s referral letter required · All service fees
Disclaimer: This article is general health information and is not professional medical advice. If you have any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
References
- Waterman, B., Walker, J. J., Swaims, C., Shortt, M., Todd, M. S., Machen, S. M., & Owens, B. D. (2012). The efficacy of combined cryotherapy and compression compared with cryotherapy alone following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The Journal of Knee Surgery, 25(2), 155–160. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22928433/
- Yang, J. H., Hwang, K. T., Lee, M. K., Jo, S., Cho, E., & Lee, J. K. (2023). Comparison of a cryopneumatic compression device and ice packs for cryotherapy following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery, 15(2), 234–240. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37008961/
- Murgier, J., & Cassard, X. (2014). Cryotherapy with dynamic intermittent compression for analgesia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Preliminary study. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, 100(3), 309–312. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24679367/
- Song, M., Sun, X., Tian, X., Zhang, X., Shi, T., Sun, R., & Dai, W. (2016). Compressive cryotherapy versus cryotherapy alone in patients undergoing knee surgery: a meta-analysis. SpringerPlus, 5(1), 1074. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27462522/