For our purpose, an example of a complication would be using a CPM machine to move an unstable joint or putting an SCD machine on a patient who already has blood clots in their legs. The reason pills are prescribed by medical professionals is so that these professionals can monitor your progress, make sure everything works as it should, and ensure nothing bad happens (i.e.

It might help to think of these as you would prescription medication. They are designed by medical professionals to aid in a patient’s recovery process. What you have to remember is that these devices are actual pieces of medical equipment. This ease of use gives patients an illusion that these devices do not have any risk. The medical industry has made these devices very user friendly. The cold component helps to slow the swelling process while the compression component helps to squeeze the swelling or localized edema out away from your joint. The SCD, in this case a Lymphedema Pump, will help to move this fluid back into the lymphatic system so that your body can process it properly.Ĭold Therapy Unit, also known as a water recirculating cold pad with a pump, help to reduce your pain by decreasing the amount of swelling that is present in and around your joint. This swelling is sometimes unsightly, painful, and debilitating. Lymphatic fluid can accumulate in the interstitial tissue which commonly will cause swelling in the arms and legs. The other type of fluid that an SCD machine can help move is lymph. This body fluid can be stationary blood in your leg veins that can become clotted (aka blood clot, deep vein thrombosis or DVT) and then possibly move up into your lungs as a pulmonary embolism or PE. Sequential Compression Devices commonly referred to as SCD Machines, SCuDs, or even Lymphedema Pump help your body to move fluid to the places that it needs to be. Maintaining and increasing your range of motion may help you to avoid additional costly surgeries and/or help to reduce the amount of visits that you need at your physical therapists office. Finally, the CPM machine helps to maintain and increase your range of motion. Increasing blood flow will help to speed your recovery. Additionally, the CPM machine will help to increase the blood flow around the repaired joint. This bending motion helps to decrease your swelling which, in turn, will help to decrease your pain. Yet they do so much more than that.ĬPM Machines bends your joints.

CPM Machines do move an extremity, SCD Machines do massage the limb, Cold Therapy Units do provide cooling and compression. It’s true that in their simplest forms, these machines do perform those very functions. These patients are not entirely wrong in their thinking. Many people think these items just move their knee or massage their leg. One of these questions is, “Why do I need a prescription for my CPM Machine, SCD Machine, Cold Therapy Unit or even Lymphedema Pump?” Here at The Medcom Group, Ltd., we hear some common questions over and over again.

Scds medical device