Has anyone had a tight band feeling after total knee replacement?

@sierrashopper I have heard the Hospital for Special Surgery is the best for orthopedics. Do they do other surgery also?
JK

As far as I know it is all orthopedic ---- reconstruction, infections, diseases, cancer etc. You need to check the website. The surgeon I used was G. Westrich.

I am in the midwest in a large metro area. I have an excellent PT in a private group who is going to give me a referral to a Dr that specializes in revisions. My story is not typical, and I will share it eventually, but it is rather complicated the path this surgery has led me down.

I am three months post TKR, and still have that same sensation. I described the feeling to my doctor and physical therapist as though I have a tourniquet tied just above my knee. Both the Dr. and PT have said they expect that sensation to abate, but cannot give assurances. The sensation is uncomfortable enough to keep my awake at night.
Before surgery I swam perhaps 10 miles weekly. Last week I swam for the first time and was able to flutter kick. It's painful, but I think this is helping. This week the tourniquet sensation is slightly better. I don't know if it's the exercise, or I'm just finally improving with time.

I also have the very tight band feeling around the top of my lower knee. Surgeon said as long as it goes back and forth it's fine. I started to see a lady PA at the surgeons office and shes great. She said about 15% of of the surgery has problems. Many others have had the same problem as we do.
Mine is over 4 years now. I've had a spec iui al freeze where probes are inserted into your knee. Supposed to kill nerves, didn't work. Had cortisone injections, didnt work. Doing this all at the pain center. Going back in two weeks, not sure what next step is.

I have had the injections as well and tomorrow I go to a new physical therapist with hope of additional type therapy concentrating on the IT band only. My doctor keeps telling me he doesn't think it's the actual knee, but the fact he had to straighten my leg so much, it more than stretched this band. Let me know what the pain doctor has to say and I'll update after my sessions with the new PT. Good luck to you!

Yes. I am 5 months out and just went to a new PT. He made me quit all exercises and has me doing specific ones for the IT band. My knee is no longer flat on the table..I'm 11 degrees off which is putting more of a stretch on the band as well. The surgeon thought my straight knee was good, but in reality, very bad. Keep doing your quad stretches and force that knee down. I'm hoping I see improvement soon. The PT told me he could get the IT calmed down, but it will come back since my knee was off by 11 degrees and my hip was way too tight, so I dangle my leg off the bed and stretch that muscle as well. I'm going 3 times a week and I'm very hopeful. Good luck

Are you able to get your knee flat on the table? I guess that is part of my problem as well as my hip/pelvis muscle is way too tight too.

I am very frustrated as they say they had never seen this problem, I've had 5 or more people that have the same problem that I have.
Four years of this terrible. Can't go for walks as I get two block away it hurts so bad I start thinging of how painful it's going to be when I start back tracking home. I've had probes that froze nerves, I've special nerve shots, i've had regular pain shots and I have just about had it! Four years wasted!!!!

@sweede536, Good evening. Four years is unthinkable. I am sure you have gone back for images and assume everything looks fine. The only option you didn't mention that you had tried is Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR). If the fascia around your knee is all crisscrossed and in layers, it may be the source of your pain. It is no longer fluid and moving freely. Here is a Connect discussion and an introduction to @jenniferhunter. She is a qualified expert in this area.

May you open the door to freedom from pain.
Chris