How To Size Breg Polar Care Cube Knee Pads & Avoid Cold Injury

Oct 19, 2026 · Written by Supply Physical Therapy · Reviewed by Dr. Dina Khentigan, DNP

If you're using a Breg Polar Care Cube after knee surgery or a knee injury, two things decide how well your cold therapy works and how safe it is. The first is ordering the right size knee pad. The second is keeping a skin barrier between the pad and your skin every time you use it.

The Breg Polar Care Cube knee pad comes in three sizes: Regular (04700), Large (04703) and XL (04705). Most adults fit the Large. You choose between Large and XL by measuring your thigh 6 inches above the middle of your kneecap. Under 27 inches, choose Large; over 27 inches, choose XL. The Regular is for petite adults and children.

This guide from the team at Supply Physical Therapy covers every size, how to measure, which sterile dressing or skin barrier to order, and why the XL dressing may arrive labeled "shoulder."

Prefer to watch? Watch the Breg Polar Care Cube Knee Pad Sizing Guide on YouTube from Movement Health by Supply Physical Therapy.

Regular, Large or XL: Which Breg Polar Care Cube Knee Pad Do You Need?

Most adults fit the Large knee pad. Use the table below to find your size, part number and matching sterile dressing.

Check the part number when your pad arrives. Every Breg pad comes with its part number printed on the front of the package, so you can confirm you received the size you ordered.

Be careful with the XL. At 12.25 x 19 inches, the XL knee pad is much bigger than the Regular and Large. Measure first rather than sizing up "just in case."

All three pads connect to the Breg Polar Care Cube, Glacier and Cub. They do not fit the Breg Polar Care Kodiak, which uses different pads and a different hose connector. Watch: Breg Polar Care Cube vs. Kodiak, Don't Order the Wrong Pad

Need the whole system? The Breg Polar Care Cube with Knee Pad comes with your choice of Regular, Large or XL.

How to Measure Your Thigh for a Breg Knee Pad

Breg knee pads are sized by thigh circumference, measured 6 inches above the middle of the kneecap. It takes about a minute.

1.       Grab a tape measure. A flexible sewing-style tape works best.

2.       Find the middle of your kneecap.

3.       Measure 6 inches straight up from there, toward your thigh.

4.       Wrap the tape all the way around your thigh at that 6-inch mark, keeping it level and snug but not tight.

5.       Read the number:

o         Under 27 inches: Large knee pad (04703)

o         Over 27 inches: XL knee pad (04705)

If you're a petite adult, or you're ordering for a child, the Regular knee pad (04700) is designed for you.

Measuring after surgery? Swelling can add to your thigh measurement. If you can, measure your other leg at the same spot, or measure before surgery. Not sure? Call Supply Physical Therapy at (844) 505-8144 and we'll help you choose.

Protect Your Skin: Never Put the Knee Pad on Bare Skin

Always keep a skin barrier between the Breg knee pad and your skin. The pads get cold enough to cause frostbite if they sit on bare skin long enough.

A skin barrier protects you in two ways:

•         It prevents cold injury. It adds a layer between your skin and the cold pad, lowering the risk of frostbite.

•         It controls moisture. Skin that stays cold and damp breaks down quickly, which is especially risky around a healing incision.

Check your skin every time you remove the pad. Stop and call your doctor if you notice numbness that doesn't go away, blistering, or skin that looks white, gray or blotchy. Always follow your surgeon's instructions for how long and how often to use cold therapy.

Sterile Dressings vs. Non-Sterile Skin Barriers

The barrier you need depends on whether it will cover a fresh incision.

Covering a fresh surgical incision: use a sterile dressing. If the surgery center or hospital puts your cold therapy unit on after surgery, they will require a sterile barrier over the incision. Plan to bring one with you.

Why does my XL knee dressing say "shoulder"? Don't be alarmed. The sterile dressing for the XL knee pad (04908) is the same dressing used with Breg's regular shoulder pad, so the package may say "shoulder." The pads differ only in their hose and straps, so the dressing fits your XL knee pad.

Over intact or healed skin, or over your surgical dressing: a non-sterile barrier works. It gives the same cold and moisture protection and costs a lot less than a sterile dressing. A clean T-shirt or towel also works. Whatever you use, never leave the pad directly on your skin.

Quick Checklist Before You Order

•         ☐ Measure your thigh 6 inches above the middle of your kneecap

•         ☐ Under 27 in: order the Large knee pad, 04703

•         ☐ Over 27 in: order the XL knee pad, 04705

•         ☐ Petite adult or child: order the Regular knee pad, 04700

•         ☐ Having surgery: order the matching sterile dressing (04708 for Regular or Large, 04908 for XL)

•         ☐ Over intact skin or a bandage: have a non-sterile skin barrier, clean T-shirt or towel ready

•         ☐ When the pad arrives, check the part number on the front of the package

Watch: Breg Polar Care Cube Knee Pad Videos

See each step on the Movement Health by Supply Physical Therapy YouTube channel.

•         Breg Polar Care Cube Knee Pad Sizing Guide & Part Numbers (How to Measure)

•         How to Apply the Breg Polar Care Cube Wrap-On Knee Pad

•         How to Apply the XL Knee Pad for the Breg Polar Care Cube

•         How to Apply the Breg Polar Care Cube Knee Pad Safely & Effectively (Short)

•         Prevent Frostbite and Skin Damage: Always Use a Sterile Dressing

•         Breg Polar Care Cube vs. Kodiak: Don't Order the Wrong Pad

Frequently Asked Questions

What size Breg Polar Care Cube knee pad do I need?

Measure your thigh 6 inches above the middle of your kneecap. Under 27 inches, order the Large (04703). Over 27 inches, order the XL (04705). The Regular (04700) fits petite adults and children.

Which Breg knee pad size do most people use?

The Large knee pad, 04703. Most adults fit it.

How do I measure my thigh for a Breg knee pad?

Find the middle of your kneecap, measure 6 inches up toward your thigh, then wrap a flexible tape measure around your thigh at that point.

What are the part numbers for the Breg Polar Care Cube knee pads?

Regular is 04700, Large is 04703 and XL is 04705. The part number is printed on the front of every pad's package.

Is the Breg XL knee pad much bigger than the Large?

Yes. The XL is 12.25 x 19 inches, compared with 11.5 x 12 inches for the Large. Only choose it if your thigh measures over 27 inches.

Can a child use the Breg Polar Care Cube knee pad?

Yes. The Regular knee pad (04700) is designed for petite adults and children. Follow the child's doctor's instructions for cold therapy.

Which sterile dressing goes with my Breg knee pad?

Use 04708 with the Regular or Large knee pad, and 04908 with the XL knee pad.

Why does my XL knee sterile dressing say "shoulder" on it?

The 04908 sterile dressing is the same one used with Breg's regular shoulder pad. It fits your XL knee pad, so you received the right product.

Do I need a sterile dressing for knee surgery?

Usually, yes. If the surgery center or hospital applies your cold therapy unit after surgery, they will require a sterile barrier over the fresh incision. Check your pre-op instructions.

What is a non-sterile skin barrier?

A non-sterile skin barrier is a liner cut to the same size as Breg's sterile dressing, so it uses the same part number: 04708 for the Regular or Large knee pad, and 04908 for the XL. It goes between the pad and intact or healed skin, or over your surgical dressing, and protects against frostbite and moisture just like the sterile version.

Why use a non-sterile skin barrier instead of a T-shirt or towel?

It's much more convenient. Because it's shaped to match your knee pad, it lines up with the pad and stays in place. A T-shirt or towel can bunch up, slide or leave bare spots, and you have to rearrange it every time you put the pad on.

Is a non-sterile skin barrier cheaper than a Breg sterile dressing?

Yes, significantly. Once you no longer need to cover a fresh incision, switching to a non-sterile skin barrier gives you the same cold and moisture protection for much less than a sterile dressing.

Can I use a T-shirt or towel instead of a skin barrier?

Yes, over intact or healed skin, or over your surgical dressing. Use a clean one, and never place the pad directly on your skin.

But it's not always convenient. A T-shirt or towel isn't shaped to your knee pad, so it can bunch up, slide out of place or leave bare spots where the pad touches your skin. You'll also have to rearrange it every time you put the pad on. A non-sterile skin barrier avoids those problems because it's sized to match your pad and stays in place.

Can the Breg knee pad cause frostbite?

Yes, if it sits on bare skin long enough. Always use a skin barrier and check your skin each time you remove the pad.

Do Breg Cube knee pads work with the Kodiak or Wave?

No. They connect to the Polar Care Cube, Glacier, and Cub. The Kodiak and Wave use different pads.

How long should I use cold therapy on my knee?

Follow your surgeon's instructions. Treatment time and frequency depend on your procedure.

Sources

•         Movement Health by Supply Physical Therapy: Breg Polar Care Cube Knee Pad Sizing Guide & Part Numbers

•         Supply Physical Therapy: Breg Polar Care Cube Replacement Pads (pad sizes and matching dressings)

•         Supply Physical Therapy: Breg Polar Care Cube & Glacier Sterile Dressings

Supply Physical Therapy: Cold Therapy Skin Barriers for Breg Polar Care Cube & Glacier