I had one of those machines for my rotator cuff surgery. Instead of using bags of ice, buy a case of those small water bottles and freeze them. I put 6 in at a time and kept 12 more in the freezer so I could rotate and refreeze. Cheaper and less messy than ice. Now my son is using the machine and water bottles for his broken leg.I had one of the machines that looks like a cooler than circulates cold water to a knee pad wrapped around your knee and keeps it cold but not too icy.
Welcome to the torn meniscus club! I had mine done better than 20 years ago via arthroscopic surgery and everything went well. I hated getting a G.A. as well, but they typically insist on it, so I let it be. G.A. is not too bad but I hated the loss of mental control prior to admin with the juice they hit you with; I recall babbling like an idiot prior to the going out....According to the letter I just received from my insurance company. Around Memorial Day, while mowing the lawn, I tore my meniscus tendon in my left knee. Since then, 2 Dr.'s visits, 1 MRI, 2 sets of X-rays, a visit to an Orthopedic Surgeon. 2 weeks from today, and I'll have the surgery. It will be an "Out Patient" procedure, so about 5 hours of hospital time. I've never looked more forward to this procedure. The pain is at times unbearable. I am afraid to sleep in fear my knee will "lock up", (it has a few times), and getting it moving is not really very enjoyable. I watched a You Tube video, very interesting on how it's done. I am not worried at all about it, but not a fan of General Anesthesia. I usually get nauseas when waking. Other than that, I will be good to go the following day, as long as I take it easy.