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IT band syndrome after knee replacement
I had both knees replaces last month. Right on 6/4 and left on 6/13. The right knee has done great. But the left has had issues. This week both PT and the surgeon's nurse said I have IT band syndrome. PT put a strip of K-tape down the side of my leg and suggests ice massage to the area. And the nurse showed me a stretching exercise to do. I am wondering if others have had this problem and how it was handled and how long it took to get better. The pain behind my knee prevents me from raising my leg while walking.
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@bonzobear72 I have come to realize that it is not unusual to not get the range you would like, but at this point, I do not believe there should still be swelling. If your surgeon cannot give you answers and some help, find a different surgeon.
I had a friend who walked around in pain for two years before she found a surgeon who diagnosed her problem and fixed it.
JK
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2 ReactionsThanks for the videos. I ordered a foam roller and received it 2days later. I really think it is going to help. It’s ackward to use, but feels better after use.
Have you spoken to your OS about it?
@collielady @tanner82 I am wondering how you are getting on now and if your problems are resolved yet. I had my knee replacement on 17th Dec 2018 and have a sharp pain on the upper outside of my knee when I bend it. It feels very stiff there as well when I bend it to walk and catches at about 30 degrees which makes me walk with a straight leg. I think I have Iliotibial Band Syndrome, i have an appointment with my physiotherapist on Monday. I have been doing all the stretches and exercises recommended but no improvement.
Has anyone had surgery to resolve this problem or got any other tips please?
I am 19 months post TKR surgery. The surgery went well. I have great ROM. But, from the beginning I have had a tight band feeling just under my knee, and a compressed feeling in my calf muscle. Feels like I have on the tightest knee sock imaginable with a tourniquet for a top band. I was prescribed gabapentin, didn’t help. I went through PT 3x trying different things to treat this, including astym and dry needling. I still have bruised areas on my leg and it’s been 7 months since the last session. My surgeon and PT have not been able to explain the what or why of this phenomenon. But was told at my one year appointment that there was a good chance I would just have to live with this. It takes a great deal of mental energy to rise above this pain to have a productive day. I am a 65 yr old female. Anyone else out there have any information or tips for dealing with this?
@kneelady I had TKR on the right knee in Oct of 2018. I have snapping and grinding of my IT band on the outside of the knee. You can actually feel it when you put your hand on the side of the knee. Uncomfortable, and somewhat painful, during the day, but excruciating/piercing pain at night when I roll over onto my left side. Wakes me up from a deep sleep. I have been going thru this night after night since Oct. Extremely frustrated. I have done 2 PT tour of duties (8 weeks) with little improvement. My OS says I have an IT band issue. No kidding!. He wants to wait until the middle of May and give me a cortisone shot. I am not a surgeon, but this would only seem to mask the underlying issue. He said that if that didn't help he may have to scope me this fall. I can definitely feel a more pronounced profile on my new knee meaning the IT and will have to stretch more than before. I feel that I either have to get a new, less pronounced insert put to replace what is there, or have the IT band lengthened. You asked if anyone has experience lengthening via putting holes in the band. I have been on multiple forums and I can not see where anyone has answered that question. At this point, I do not trust anyone. I am nervous about cutting on the IT band in fear that I may introduce another issue. I hope someone answers your question as I sure would like to get some level of confidence in that procedure. This really blows. Not happy at all.
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3 ReactionsItbsnaps. Very curious? Did you have a Conformis Custom Knee Replacement?
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2 ReactionsHi @itbsnaps - First, Welcome to Connect. I'm glad you came to this forum. Your situation sounds terribly frustrating and uncomfortable. I've said before on other threads that I believe sleep is an important part of recovery. If you are getting woken up at night, you are losing some of that great benefit.
Second, I've had two TKR's and I'm happy that both have been fairly uneventful. But I've read of people who have used myofascial release as part of their recovery. I'm going to tag a couple of people who might have insight on this: @ChrisTrout and @mrhappy. Also, here is a conversation that might interest you:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/?pg=39#comment-274100
I don't blame you for your resistance to have a cortisone shot in May. Have you considered getting a second opinion? I think that might be a reasonable route to take. Wishing you the best.
@gobigorgohome I am curious about why you asked if @kneelady had a Conformis. Have you heard of problems with them? My TKR in October 2017 was with a Conformis and I have nothing but good to say about it. Granted, I am now only at 115 flex, but it doesn't hurt and it does not seem to affect the functionality of the knee. It was actually higher shortly after the TKR so I presume I must have developed some scar tissue.
JK
JK, I am doing Conformis knees on April 18th. I was just curious. My sister in law had her 2nd TKR with Conformis and insisted I look into it before doing my knee. So, I had to go to a different Dr and I’m definitely under the impression that the custom fit will make the fit much better and the cutting of bone less extreme. So I was hoping someone else could tell me about their Conformis experience.
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