1. How does cold therapy heal injuries
faster?
2. Why can’t I just use ice?
3. How does compression heal injuries
faster?
4. Why is cyclical compression better
than static compression at resolving swelling?
5. What pressure
settings are available with Game Ready?
6. Are
Game Ready pressures safe?
7. Are there any contraindications to
Game Ready usage?
8. Where did the idea for Game Ready
products originate?
9. How does
Game Ready differ from other products?
10. How should I care for and store my
Game Ready System?
11. How can I purchase a Game Ready System?
12. Who can I contact for more information?
How does cold therapy heal injuries faster?
Cold therapy is universally used to minimize damage following injury
and surgery, and to help equine athletes heal faster during rehabilitation.
Cold therapy benefits include:
| • |
Decreases pain. |
| • |
Decreases muscle spasms |
| • |
Decreases tissue damage
by slowing the metabolic process. |
| • |
Decreases swelling (due
to less tissue damage). |
Game Ready’s dry cold therapy offers several advantages over traditional
cold therapy methods:
| • |
Dry cold therapy minimizes
the risk of dermatological issues that can result from wet skin. |
| • |
Form-fitting, flexible
fabric wraps completely surround the affected area for maximum
heat removal. |
| • |
Patented technology forces
fluid into every part of the wrap and continuously cycles fluid
throughout the wrap for even, consistent cooling. |
| • |
Easy to use, without the
mess of ice packs. |
Return to questions.
Why can’t I just use ice?
To help prevent injuries and reduce swelling, ice (or any form of
cold therapy) is only half of the solution. Cyclical compression is
the other element necessary to reduce swelling and to assure consistent,
effective cold therapy. In addition, Game Ready’s dry form of cold
therapy offers deeper, more consistent cooling without the danger
of dermatological issues that can occur due to the excessive moisture
from wet forms of cold therapy.
Return to questions.
How does compression heal injuries faster?
Cyclical compression’s squeeze-and-release action actively removes
swelling from the injury site and encourages fresh blood flow into
the treated area. Mimicking natural muscle contractions, the intermittent
squeezing action pushes fluid along the animal’s lymphatic drainage
system, while the releasing action allows blood flow, carrying fresh
oxygen and nutrients, crucial to tissue repair, back to the injury
site. The combination of removing swelling and encouraging a re-supply
of fresh blood helps to accelerate the natural healing process. Once
the swelling has been removed, the animal’s natural tissue repair
process can finish the job of healing.
Return to questions.
Why is cyclical compression better than static compression at
resolving swelling?
Cyclical compression, such as that provided by the Game Ready System,
is preferable to static compression as it more closely mirrors the
muscle contractions that the animal’s body uses to gently push tissue
debris out of the affected area. Static compression, such as a tightly
wrapped bandage, minimizes the amount of fluid that can enter an injury
site, but it does very little to aid the animal’s body in removing
existing swelling and can even prevent fresh blood flow.
Return to questions.
What pressure settings are available with Game Ready?
The Game Ready System is adjustable to four different pressure settings:
| • |
No pressure |
| • |
Low pressure: 5 to 15
mmHg (5 minute cycles) |
| • |
Medium pressure: 5 to
50 mmHg (4 minute cycles) |
| • |
High pressure: 5 to 75
mmHg (4 minute cycles) |
Return to questions.
Are Game Ready pressures safe?
Yes, these compression levels should not interrupt blood flow and
should be safe and comfortable, even when used post-operatively. The
pressure levels used by Game Ready are less than those used in conventional
blood pressure cuffs.
Return to questions.
Are there any contraindications to Game Ready usage?
Users should consult their veterinarian before administering Game
Ready.
Return to questions.
Where did the idea for Game Ready products originate?
CoolSystems, Inc., the manufacturer of Game Ready®, was founded by
a NASA designer whose research pioneered the control of temperature
and pressure in spacesuits. Working with athletes, doctors, and physical
therapists, Game Ready combined this scientific research with sports
medicine to create products that help athletes recover faster from
injury and perform at their best. Game Ready veterinary products were
developed specifically for the needs of animals with feedback and
design input from leading vets, competitive riders, and the United
States Equestrian Team. The Game Ready System for small animals applies
the same technology currently being used by more than 500 professional
athletes, 90 pro sports teams, and 160 universities nationwide—as
well as by top equestrian riders and clinics around the world.
Return to questions.
How does Game Ready differ from other products?
Game Ready is revolutionary in that it offers the simultaneous
delivery of both dry cold therapy and active cyclical compression
(also called “intermittent compression”) in one easy-to-use unit.
Return to questions.
How should I care for and store my Game Ready System?
Control Unit. The exterior
of the Control Unit and the visible interior surfaces of the ice box
can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild detergent, 5% bleach solution,
6% hydrogen peroxide, or 70% isopropyl alcohol. DO NOT USE phenolic-based
disinfectants (such as Amphyl®), quaternary ammonium (such as Virex®),
or any solvent-based cleaners on the Control Unit. Doing so will damage
the plastics and will void your warranty. DO NOT USE abrasive materials
to clean the Control Unit. Doing so will damage the plastics and will
void your warranty.
Caution: The Control Unit is not a waterproof device. Do not apply
a direct stream of any liquid onto the Control Unit, submerge the
Control Unit, or allow any liquid to pool on the surface of the front
panel of the Control Unit.
Procedure:
| • |
Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions and precautions for the cleaning agent you select. |
| • |
Apply the selected cleaner
to a soft cloth and wipe down all surfaces of the Control Unit. |
| • |
Allow the Control Unit
to dry thoroughly before storing it in the Carry Bag. |
| • |
The Control Unit should
be cleaned as needed. |
Connector Hoses. The
Connector Hoses can be cleaned using a soft cloth and mild detergent
or 70% isopropyl alcohol. We do not recommend the use of quaternary
ammonium (such as Virex®). DO NOT USE phenolic-based disinfectants
(such as Amphyl®), or any solvent-based cleaners on the Connector
Hose. Doing so will damage the plastics and will void your warranty.
DO NOT USE abrasive materials to clean the Connector Hose. Doing so
will damage the plastics and will void your warranty. DO NOT USE any
petroleum-based lubricants on the Connector Hose. Doing so will damage
the o-rings and will void your warranty. If lubrication is required,
the use of silicone spray is recommended. The following silicone sprays
have been successfully tested with our o-rings:
| • |
DuPont Teflon Silicone
Spray (DuPont Part#DS0614101) |
| • |
3M Silicone Spray (3M
Part#62-4678-49) |
| • |
500 PSI Silicone Pump
Spray (Game Ready Part#302056) |
Wraps. Gently remove
Heat Exchanger from the Sleeve. Hand wash Sleeve in cold water, using
a mild detergent or antibacterial soap. Do not use fabric softener.
Hang to dry. If needed, the external surface of the Heat Exchanger
may be cleaned by wiping down with commercial non-bleach cleaning
wipes or hand washed using a very small amount of mild detergent or
antibacterial soap. DO NOT MACHINE WASH. Periodically run hydrogen
peroxide through your Game Ready System to keep the interior of your
wrap clean. Refer to the Wrap Use Guide for more specific Wrap care
instructions.
Carry Bag. The Carry
Bag should be cleaned using a soft cloth or brush and a mild detergent.
Febreze® or the equivalent can be used on the Carry Bag if desired.
If the Carry Bag has a biological material on the surface, Steri-Fab®
may be used to decontaminate those surfaces. Be sure to test any product
on a small portion of the Carry Bag to make sure that it will not
damage the material.
Return to questions.
How can I purchase a Game Ready System?
Game Ready canine products can be ordered by contacting the Authorized
Distributor nearest you or by calling the company at 1.888.GameReady
(1.888.426.3732) or 510.868.2100 or by e-mail at info@gameready.com.
Return to questions.
Who can I contact for more information?
Simply call 1.888.GameReady (1.888.426.3732) or 510.868.2100 or e-mail
the company at info@gameready.com.
