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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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clvclv | @clvclv | Apr 5, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "Hi @clvclv Welcome to Connect. I have had two TKRs but never had what you are..." + (show)
@contentandwell

Hi @clvclv Welcome to Connect. I have had two TKRs but never had what you are experiencing. Actually I also didn't realize that the IT band extended to the knee, I thought it was just in the hip area.
I wish I could give you some advice but as I said my TKRs both had no problems except only getting to about 120 degrees flex, more or less.
Have you spoken to your orthopedic surgeon about it? If so what does he or she say? Most physical therapists are very good but I pretty much rely more on my doctor.
I will be interested in hearing what your orthopedist does have to say.
JK

Jump to this post

JK, thanks for the reply. My surgeon says IT band syndrome is the most common complication of TKR. His advice: Go back on the Celebrex (but I can’t due to high BP). Stretch. Talk to PT. Ugh

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Apr 5, 2020
In reply to @clvclv "JK, thanks for the reply. My surgeon says IT band syndrome is the most common complication..." + (show)
@clvclv

JK, thanks for the reply. My surgeon says IT band syndrome is the most common complication of TKR. His advice: Go back on the Celebrex (but I can’t due to high BP). Stretch. Talk to PT. Ugh

Jump to this post

@clvclv If this is a "tight band feeling", there is a group that discusses that; here is the link:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-a-tight-band-feeling-after-total-knee-replacement/?utm_campaign=search
As I said, I was fortunate in not having any problems of that nature but I hope you can find others in this group who have also experienced it and may have suggestions.
JK

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clvclv | @clvclv | Apr 5, 2020

Hello, I am new to this group and looking for other's experience with sudden pain on the lateral aspect just above the knee. I can feel the tendon slide or click over the bone. This happens without warning and is excruciating but lasts just a second. I am five weeks out of surgery. My PT says it is due to the IT band. Is there any solution besides rolling it or arthroscopy to release it?? I'm disheartened to say the least. Thank you for any comments.

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1 reply
mal492 | @mal492 | Jul 16, 2020

Hi 3 years after right knee replacement I’m getting illitibial band issues is this normal

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 16, 2020

Hello @mal492, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we merged your post with an existing discussion on IT band syndrome after knee replacement so that you can meet other members who share your symptoms. I had a TKR done a year ago April and feel some tightness in the knee at times but I don't think it's the same. Here are some articles that you may find helpful while we wait for other members to welcome you and share their experiences with IT band syndrome.

Iliotibial band impingement by overhanging tibial tray: A pain generator after total knee replacement treatable without revision:
-- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210491717301331

Iliotibial band friction syndrome after knee arthroplasty:
-- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31883856/

@mal492 are you able to share a little more about the symptoms/issues you are having?

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1 reply
autp17 | @autp17 | Nov 16, 2020

I had my right knee replacement 9-8-2020 and have IT Band Syndrome ever since. I have been in therapy except 2 weeks which I rested. I had the first therapy place do foam rolling and it made is so much worst. I have changed to a new therapy center and they are doing ultrasound with a few exercises. I had to go to a hip ortho Dr. and they gave me a shot for my Hip Bursitis and this was Friday 11-14-2020. I not sure if I am feeling any better yet. My new PT center visit is 2 times a week. I can't go down stairs yet, walking and standing makes my knee and hip hurt. How many have had Dry Needling and did it work? How long did it take for the IT band to heal?

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1 reply
autp17 | @autp17 | Nov 16, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @mal492, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we merged your post with an existing..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @mal492, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we merged your post with an existing discussion on IT band syndrome after knee replacement so that you can meet other members who share your symptoms. I had a TKR done a year ago April and feel some tightness in the knee at times but I don't think it's the same. Here are some articles that you may find helpful while we wait for other members to welcome you and share their experiences with IT band syndrome.

Iliotibial band impingement by overhanging tibial tray: A pain generator after total knee replacement treatable without revision:
-- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210491717301331

Iliotibial band friction syndrome after knee arthroplasty:
-- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31883856/

@mal492 are you able to share a little more about the symptoms/issues you are having?

Jump to this post

Thanks, I will read this links.

REPLY
autp17 | @autp17 | Nov 16, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "Hi @clvclv Welcome to Connect. I have had two TKRs but never had what you are..." + (show)
@contentandwell

Hi @clvclv Welcome to Connect. I have had two TKRs but never had what you are experiencing. Actually I also didn't realize that the IT band extended to the knee, I thought it was just in the hip area.
I wish I could give you some advice but as I said my TKRs both had no problems except only getting to about 120 degrees flex, more or less.
Have you spoken to your orthopedic surgeon about it? If so what does he or she say? Most physical therapists are very good but I pretty much rely more on my doctor.
I will be interested in hearing what your orthopedist does have to say.
JK

Jump to this post

Yes I have. We have done a injection to the hip bursa. This was Friday so I going to wait a little before I go back to my doctor. Pt is addressing this with me. Thanks.

REPLY
judybearden1 | @judybearden1 | Nov 17, 2020
In reply to @autp17 "I had my right knee replacement 9-8-2020 and have IT Band Syndrome ever since. I have..." + (show)
@autp17

I had my right knee replacement 9-8-2020 and have IT Band Syndrome ever since. I have been in therapy except 2 weeks which I rested. I had the first therapy place do foam rolling and it made is so much worst. I have changed to a new therapy center and they are doing ultrasound with a few exercises. I had to go to a hip ortho Dr. and they gave me a shot for my Hip Bursitis and this was Friday 11-14-2020. I not sure if I am feeling any better yet. My new PT center visit is 2 times a week. I can't go down stairs yet, walking and standing makes my knee and hip hurt. How many have had Dry Needling and did it work? How long did it take for the IT band to heal?

Jump to this post

Autp17 I have had several rounds of dry needling and it did help me. It released some swelling that the PT said was pockets of fluid underneath the skin. She also hooked up the needles to something that resembled a tens unit to stimulate the blood flow back to those muscles. It has helped some, but did not alleviate the problem.

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autp17 | @autp17 | Nov 17, 2020

Thanks for this information. I guess I just need to give it time and use my Stimulator unit a few time a day.

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