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IT band syndrome after knee replacement

Posted by Faith M @collielady, Jul 26, 2018

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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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Sep 1, 2019
In reply to @scgraham "Thank you for answering, will read all these articles. I feel like there might be some..." + (show)
@scgraham

Thank you for answering, will read all these articles. I feel like there might be some hope. Just wondering if one or two releases will do the trick, or if it requires on going treatment.

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@scgraham, The MFR treatment may take longer than you might expect. It all depends on the number of layers and the frequency of treatment plus the follow up that you do at home. You may want to go twice a week in the beginning. @jenniferhunter May be able to add her experience with a cranky knee. Be safe and protected today. Chris

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 1, 2019
In reply to @dickiedo "Tried pillows. No change. As soon as I’m on my side with leg bent the pain..." + (show)
@dickiedo

Tried pillows. No change. As soon as I’m on my side with leg bent the pain is there. Hard to get out of that position.

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@dickiedo When the ortho doctor suggested it after my recent femur fracture I could not even turn to my side due to the pain. The pain is gradually lessening though and I can turn to my side now. I could not stay that way though without a pillow between my legs. I alternate all night between sleeping on my back and grabbing the pillow and turning to my side. I can’t remember what it was like to sleep all night uninterrupted. That’s due to incontinence too, and a current UTI.
JK

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dickiedo | @dickiedo | Sep 1, 2019
In reply to @artscaping "@dickiedo, good morning, yes, the pain and position you describe is a mirror image of what..." + (show)
@artscaping

@dickiedo, good morning, yes, the pain and position you describe is a mirror image of what I dealt with many times. The fascia is in layers and becomes restricted. Here is my only recommendation.

Arrange the pillow so that it is between your legs with the knee on top of the pillow. Place a large gel ice bag around your knee......after rubbing in a very good medical cannabis balm like Papa and Barkley’s Releaf Balm 3:1 CBD/THC. A 1:3 ratio is also for acute pain.

Settle in with your nighttime medications or just a half dropper of a 2:1 CBD/THC tincture. That’s it. I have had recurrent-bouts with that fascia and am now back walking again and protecting it with MFR and yoga stretches that you hold for 6 breaths on that leg,

If my day necessitates a lot of standing I use a knee compression wrap from The Mayo Clinic store in Rochester. I will get the brand for you if this is something you want to try. It sounds complicated, yet it is the only multi-faceted approach that works for me. A big plus is that my MFR therapist makes herself available because she knows it is critical to begin work on the knee ASAP.

May you be free of suffering today. Chris

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Wil research MFR further. Maybe your other suggestions at a later time. Thanks

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Sep 2, 2019
In reply to @scgraham "Thank you for answering, will read all these articles. I feel like there might be some..." + (show)
@scgraham

Thank you for answering, will read all these articles. I feel like there might be some hope. Just wondering if one or two releases will do the trick, or if it requires on going treatment.

Jump to this post

@scgraham usually MFR is ongoing because you work through all the layers of tight tissue that your body built up over the years, and you need to continue doing stretches to maintain what you have achieved. The good news is that you can treat yourself at home after you learn what to do. You can't do everything because your PT can reach places where you can't, but what you do at home will help. Sometimes the first few appointments just scratch the surface.

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1 reply
scgraham | @scgraham | Sep 2, 2019
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@scgraham usually MFR is ongoing because you work through all the layers of tight tissue that..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@scgraham usually MFR is ongoing because you work through all the layers of tight tissue that your body built up over the years, and you need to continue doing stretches to maintain what you have achieved. The good news is that you can treat yourself at home after you learn what to do. You can't do everything because your PT can reach places where you can't, but what you do at home will help. Sometimes the first few appointments just scratch the surface.

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@jenniferhunter thank you for this explanation. One other question, can a massage therapist do mfr, or does it require a physical therapist? I am brimming with hope. Thank you.

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1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Sep 2, 2019
In reply to @scgraham "@jenniferhunter thank you for this explanation. One other question, can a massage therapist do mfr, or..." + (show)
@scgraham

@jenniferhunter thank you for this explanation. One other question, can a massage therapist do mfr, or does it require a physical therapist? I am brimming with hope. Thank you.

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@scgraham Yes, a lot of medical massage therapists are certified in myofascial release by the John Barnes training methods. That's the important piece, that it is the John Barnes training. you can search for providers at https://myofascialrelease.com/find-a-therapist/
Go for it! I think you'll be glad you did. John Barnes does a lot of self treating every day as part of his life.

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zakcat | @zakcat | Sep 4, 2019
In reply to @gobigorgohome "Itbsnaps. Very curious? Did you have a Conformis Custom Knee Replacement?" + (show)
@gobigorgohome

Itbsnaps. Very curious? Did you have a Conformis Custom Knee Replacement?

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Why? Is Conformis known to create this problem?

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dickiedo | @dickiedo | Sep 19, 2019

I was willing to let Time help with my ITB issue but now have a catch in knee cap walking in and out of the pool and when trying to get up from chairs. Also pain behind knee mostly when sleeping. Still can’t do stairs. Have been icing and no PT for a week. Sleeping and driving still an issue. Seem to be losing a little range of motion. Tkr was May 8th
Thanks for listening.

REPLY
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Sep 19, 2019

Hi @dickiedo - I'm sorry to hear that you've gotten that catch in your knee in addition to the ITB issues. At this point it's been more than 4 months and I, too, would have hoped that by now you would have gotten some relief. As I recall, you were going to try myofascial release. Did you try it and if so, did it help? I may have mentioned that acupuncture gave me some relief when I was recovering from both of my TKR's. Is that something you would be interested in trying?

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3 replies
scgraham | @scgraham | Sep 19, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @dickiedo - I'm sorry to hear that you've gotten that catch in your knee in..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @dickiedo - I'm sorry to hear that you've gotten that catch in your knee in addition to the ITB issues. At this point it's been more than 4 months and I, too, would have hoped that by now you would have gotten some relief. As I recall, you were going to try myofascial release. Did you try it and if so, did it help? I may have mentioned that acupuncture gave me some relief when I was recovering from both of my TKR's. Is that something you would be interested in trying?

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Hi @debbraw and @dickiedo I have tried one session of myofascial release for the tight band feeling that I have had right below my knee since my TKR in Oct 2017. I don’t know whether my problem is caused by scar tissue, fascia problems, or nerve damage, and neither does any medical professional I have consulted. It will take several sessions to know if this will work. It was very intense and painful. Too soon to tell if I am on the right path. If it doesn’t work, guess I can eliminate one of the possibilities of this daily 24/7 pain. Will keep y’all posted. Waiting to hear from anyone else who has good results with this treatment.

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