I have always used a heat bag for arthritic type pain [inflamed areas] but in a thread not that long ago Mrs D, & David both said use cold packs instead.
I always thought that using heat dilates blood vessels, which increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients.
On the other hand cold packs makes very good sense too, as i believe it reduces the inflammation & can numb the sore tissue.

I have a good reason for asking this, as i am waiting for a call from our local hospital to do a total hip replacement, its suppose to happen early this year but whilst i wait, i am in a fair bit of discomfort as its bone on bone now there's no cartlidge left, i have had 2 steriod injections in the last 6 months which help for a while but they don't last that long, so i have been using magnets on accupunture points to get me by, but its pretty bad right now and even the magnets are really struggling to help me.

So there are 2 main area's that are given me the most trouble, thats in the groin and right in the femor head [hip joint], so i really don't have a clue in the proper use of cold packs which i would like to try out.
any help would be really appreciated,

quiet the nerves that send the pain signals. All the while I was having
PT cold was recommended. Just don't overdo more than 20 minutes.

Over the years recently cold has taken over for arthritis/pain relief.
The trick is not to overuse it.

My chiropractor in the past (I went for 4 sessions) for my knee, said heat
makes it worse, and overstims nerves, causing rebound pain.

But once you get bone on bone...that is very hard to deal with using any
therapy.

Groin pain IS hard to deal with. That is basically my injury area, including the femur/thigh.

Thanks for the quick reply Mrs D, i understand that its difficult to get relief in the condition its in now, but sometimes when i have aggravated the joint it gets a lot worse than normal, so i was hoping when that happens the cold pack may help lower the inflammation down a bit, if it helps some under those circumstances, is it ok to use the cold pack a few times a day, like every 4 hours or whatever ?
I have been hanging onto a steriod script that the ortho' doc given me last November, and he said to use it if you really need it, but i am a bit concerned of having to much steriods in such a short time, he said it won't harm me but i am not to sure about that.
thankyou very much

I find I'm very sensitive to the cold...always have been so I wrap a lite towell around the pack.

Like heat, cold only works for so long as your vascular system can react in exactly the way you want it to...soo. Too long and it works agains you-the vascular system protects itself by 'shutting down'. The formula I use for either heat or cold is 15 minutes on the key site, then rotate to another site for same amount of time, then rotate back. Mrs D is right 20 mins is the max. In my PT experiences they usually start warm-up with some heat, and cool-down with some chill-packs..

For how often? Well, it depends on how long any chill-pack lasts...I find mine usually lose their punch after 30-45 minutes. How often to use them, well, again it's a an issue of tolerance...as long as it feels better w/use and not worse, do it as much as you can until pain is eased or swelling goes down...

As for surgery, it's a scary necessity! Really, really talk to your docs, your neuro and your surgeon about the meds, the surgery and any and all s/e's that mite happen...be SURE they are all on the same page.... That they understand YOUR concerns and that you know where they mite have some. Smushy answers are unacceptable! I will be hoping very hard that this can ease a LOT of your pain tho! Bone on bone? EEEKKK!!

Super thoughts for now - j

Thanks Dahlek, i was thinking that i would use something like ice blocks wrapped up in a towel is that ok ? as far as the op goes, i have had a real good talk to a few of the orthopedic surgeons in the hospital, they have all explained the possible risks, but i have to go for it, as i have really got no other choice.

David,
I found this: http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/sig43888.asp

Hope it helps,
Billye

Exactly what I would have said, except clearer, better organized, and more authoritative.

I worry about the blue cold packs. Our freezer is -10 degrees. A cold pack could be too cold for too long on the skin and could cause frostbite or other tissue damage. In contrast, once ice starts melting, the surface temperature is 32 degrees, not cold enough to cause damage.

Also, once a blue cold pack is warmer than freezing, it continues to warm to the point where it is no longer therapeutic. Water and ice stays at a therapeutic 32 degrees until all the ice is melted.

Another pleasant way to apply cold is to fill a styrofoam coffee cup with water, then freeze it. You can then gently massage the sore area with the ice, holding on to the cup as a comfortable handle. Peel back styrofoam from the top of the cup as the ice melts down. Then chuck the whole thing when finished.

Thanks heaps Billye, that artical explains my questions well.

Brian

Thanks David, you make a good point with those blue cold packs as they did cross my mind too.
So with the cup of ice method, is it ok to apply the ice directly to the skin ? because in that artical they say ;
" Always keep a cloth between your skin and the ice pack, and press firmly against all the curves of the affected area."
thanks
Brian

Okay, this sounds odd, but I learned it here...

If you buy a bag of frozen green peas, you get an ideal ice pack! It will never leak, and as it melts a little bit it will conform to whatever shape you need. I found frozen green peas were great to use on my feet when they felt like they were burning, and great on my neck, as they mold around it just right!