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

Definitely sets you through the emotional wheel. Glad I have a tough supportive spouse as this journey is way harder than I anticipated.

I see YouTube videos of older people 8 weeks post op walking easily. I need to start seeing some improvement ( week 9) soon as I am exasperated. Can we ever rest, take a day off? I regress if I don’t do all these grueling exercises. I feel like a failure that I still take Tylenol and ibuprofen, and even oxycodone for PT- which I need 3x/wk.
is there any real studies on if aggressive PT can be setting us back? How can I do knee #2 down the road?

I am 15 weeks post op with tight band feeling. I also have major hamstring issues. We are in the same club and it is good to know that we are not alone. I’m also in pain, major stiffness, and very poor sleep. Still in PT too. Yes, losing ground too. I have been told it is scar tissue. Someone mentioned scar tissue surgery. How does that work? Good to have this support group. Thanks.

Bike and time. Also what makes it feel best while healing is a thin nylon sleeve to pull up over your knee. It holds it in place and sometimes you actually feel like your knee is healed. The compression aspect helps work the fluid back as well if you have your leg elevated. Good luck

Thank you so much

I am just seeing this and would make the following suggestions:
(My qualifier is I had a hamstring repair and I am an exercise physiologist- I defer you to ask your doctor/therapist for direction though.)
1. I recommend engaging in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR). It can help you manage your pain and stress and you may get a better nite's rest. There are programs at some of the hospital systems but you can also pursue the program on your own- you just need to stick with the program. Anything unfamiliar takes time to adapt to.
2. Using lessons learned from 1, consider keeping a journal of what triggers your discomfort, pain, lack of sleep. Documentation leads to definite clarity when having a conversation with your therapist and doctor.
3. Movement is key to your recovery, rehabilitation, and mental state, know what to do, what not to do, and when you need to change things up.
4. 15 weeks is not that long. Scar tissue can form anytime, though, and can be from muscle, fascia, or something else. Document what you feel, when you feel, where you feel will lead the discussion to why you feel and what to do when conversing with your provider.

Scar tissue prevention involves early motion to prevention. It requires movement and following the PT to minimize what would be called adhesions. That would be my educated guess as to what would be done-adhesions cleaned up. I would definitely ask your therapist and provider for guidance as you are early in recovery.
Work the program, stay positive!

I fell and broke my knee in 2018. They had to put a plate and screws in. I had the tight band feeling and it wouldn’t go away. I went to another dr a couple years later and he thought maybe he could take the plate and screws out and do a TKR that it might fix that. Nope and I’ve gone through a lot of PT too. Still have the same problem only it’s getting worse.
I wear a brace except at night in bed. Anytime I take it off, for instance when I shower, it hurts. It’s very uncomfortable. When I sit for very long I have to have my leg extended. So like a recliner. It’s gotten to where it hurts to drive very far. I’m so over this. It’s 2024 for heavens sake. It’s not ok.

I got my tight band feeling after breaking my knee in 2 places. They put a plate in. 3 years later I’m still having it so different dr thinks TKR. Well guess what it didn’t take away. It’s now been 6 years since I broke my knee. So mine never went away. I wear a sleeve all the time except at night. Have to keep elevated most of the time if sitting. Good luck for you

I am 4 months po and still have stiffness and the tight band. Was told it can take 12 to 18 months to go away

Good luck with that. Mine hasn’t gone away since 2018. I’m sorry.

Hello
I am returning to this topic. (I am above). Stiffening at 14 weeks. I have now seen ortho and Discussed with my ( fantastic) PT person. For me and at week 14 it was is scar tissue. Let me explain what I learned. (Lay person speak). There r three types of scar.
1) the genetic or non-compliant induced appearing scar. It typically shows up by week 6-8. This is bad esp. if you know longer get past 100 degrees or less. They surgically take care of this. 2) natural scar tissue which is healing and remodeling tissue. 3) then (me) there is the dreaded scar tissue that pops up late in therapy. It is usually localized and impeding ROM. Mine is around the patella. BUT! Good news here. PT can manage this. The manual manipulation sessions are screamers. But no surgery. They will use their hands and the silver scraping Graston tools. I am on ice and pills for two days after but back to making progress. Phew lots here and a hellish process no matter which.
NO SECOND TKR FOR ME!