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

I wish I would have been in on this discussion group before my bilateral TKR. The information and recoveries shared here might have made me wait longer and do more research before I had surgery.

I totally agree! There’s a lot of things that I was not told beforehand. I have not had a day without pain since my surgery! I’m almost 4 months post op. There’s days I can barely walk because of the tight bands. I’m still in PT. I’m tired of taking pain pills!!

As many of us are suffering with this crazy after effect of tkr, you would think these doctors could figure out what causes this and what can be done. This is the most frustrating part for me at 18 Months post surgery. I was told i may have to live with this.

I am 4+ months post OP and still have the tight band and pain with flexion and extension. I am going to another Dr. tomorrow for my other knee and will ask him about it. I am wondering if it will ever go away!

I am 4 1/2 months out and still have soreness, pain with stairs, night-time discomfort. I don't think it automatically goes away at any set point. Every knee is different.

I am 7 months post op. And understand your pain. Seems like it’s been my own personal hell at times. Several things that have gotten me thru this: first was pt 4 days a week. Not just pt but specifically being in the pool doing my exercises for months. Exercising in the pool for about an hour each day then being on the com machine for another hour.. 2 1/2 months post op I had a manual manipulation. I dreaded it but it ended up being the best thing ever. I can’t say enough how important it is to get into the pool!

I’m 7 months post op. While there feeling gets better, it still always feels tight. Keep up your pool therapy and use the cpm machine as much as you can. Some insurances pay for you to have a cpm at home thru your dme coverage- please check. You may need a script from your dr to have it. It will be worth it!

I'm 5 weeks post-op for LTKR, and I have 3 more weeks before I can get into a pool. I am counting the minutes! So far, IT band pain that I had early one has diminished, and pain in general is low. I am taking 1000 mg Tylenol 3x a day and I take one Tramadol at night before bed. The Celebrex and Ecotrin ended last week. I am resting, icing, and elevating throughout the day and night. My extension is 3, which may not be perfect but is great for me (before surgery I could not straighten my leg even that much). But my flexion is not so great. Last week 89 with a PT pushing and me in tears, and yesterday 80 with same scenario. PTs have said I have swelling in the knee capsule and that it's my quad preventing me from bending. I find that if I massage everything around the knee it helps, and I've starting applying heat to the quad just above my knee. I think my surgeon (I see him Friday) is going to suggest an MUA. What I'd like is a chance for four weeks in the water but that would be 12 weeks post-op and maybe that is too long to wait for an MUA? When we built our home, we put in a resistance pool off the master bath and I am accustomed to swimming 4-5 days a week and doing all my leg exercises and stretches in the water. I also have a Schwinn Airdyne but I can't use a bike yet--can't go all the way around. I see different PTs and only one took the time to massage, abd she commented on all the "knots" in the quad. The PT routine is pretty much the same: start with heat and stim, straight leg lifts (also not great--I've not gotten strength back in the quad), assisted stretching which brings me to tears, squats, steps, etc. Questions: 1) Are there things I might ask the PT to do or switch out? Can I ask them to massage the quad or did I just luck out with one PT? 2) If you are exercising in water, are the exercises the same as the land exercises or are some different? Does anyone have link(s) to articles about water exercise post-TKR? 3) For about 5 years, I have worked with a Pilates instructor once a week, focusing on flexibility and balance. This studio has a focus on clients rehabbing from surgery, sports injuries, etc., and I would not feel any concern that my instructor would push me to do something inappropriate for a new knee. I was going to wait until PT was complete before resuming Pilates, but that's when I thought my knee would bend! 4) Has anyone resumed Pilates this soon after a TKR? 5) What exactly is swelling in the knee capsule and is there an exercise or anything beyond ice/elevation to help reduce this? I apologize for all the questions!

I am 3 1/2 years post Left TKA; 2 1/2 years post right TKA. Both are still giving me problems. I had a terrible rehab with my first one. Pain, tight band, took a long time to flex to 100 degrees...with 2 PT's pushing, me pulling and me crying. Used a can for 4 months. The right one rehabbed much better, but I have a burning pain in both...from a couple inches below the knees to an inch or so above the knees. I fear it's neuropathy. I can walk distances much better than stand still or minimal walking, like working in my kitchen. It became worse last fall, so well over 1 and 2 years post op. Some days I feel like I'll be in a wheelchair before long; other days slightly better but I've never been without discomfort. I got a 2nd opinion while in Arizona this past winter; both he and my PA here at home say I likely drew the short straw of the 20% whose knees don't like them. Both said if the burning continues to consider seeing a neurologist, which I plan to do soon. I also have pain in the side of the knee if I sit certain positions. Driving with foot on the gas pedal is very uncomfortable when I can't use cruise control. I really didn't have the option of not doing the surgeries....arthritis doesn't get better and I was bone-on-bone and resorting to a cane.

Hi @grammygolfs - your experience definitely sounds like a nightmare. It must be so frustrating to still have so much pain after more than 2 years for both knees. I'm glad you got a second opinion in AZ - but sorry it wasn't more encouraging. Is there anything you have found that helps? being in the pool? more (or less) exercise? I've heard a lot of people say they are helped by water therapy, acupuncture and myofascial release. In case you haven't seen it, here is a link that might help....https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/