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

Posted by mhort1213 @mhort1213, Feb 28, 2019

I am 8 weeks post TKR and have had this very tight band around my knee since week one. My Dr at 6 wks says it is normal and will go away. Has anyone else had this and did it go away and when?

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JK | @contentandwell | Jun 19, 2019
In reply to @jellycats "Because I inquired about MUA, thought I would post a follow-up. Left TKR was on April..." + (show)
@jellycats

Because I inquired about MUA, thought I would post a follow-up. Left TKR was on April 16. On May 24 ROM was 70 and surgeon thought a MUA might be needed. I saw my surgeon on 6/17 for x-rays and evaluation, and he was excited that in three weeks I had gone from 70 degrees without assistance to 100-105 degrees without assistance--and he saw no reason for MUA. He told me that before the surgery he measured me at 105 (no shock there--I've had terrible ROM due to pain for a number of years) and 130 after the surgery. He was confident that I will continue to gain more ROM over time. I'd like to get to 110-115--that's my goal. I see surgeon again in two months, and he gave me the go-ahead to see a massage therapist for myofascial massage and to resume my weekly sessions with my Pilates instructor (who works with lots of knee/hip patients). I'm reducing my PT visits from 3x each week to 2x, and continuing to swim/do water exercises daily and do my dry land exercises at home. I have the tight band feeling sometimes, sometimes I feel a tight and tender spot right behind the knee when I walk--seems like recovery for many weeks/months after a TKR includes varying types/degrees of pain/discomfort. Trying to take each day as it comes. Of course the right knee is "barking" more--especially on steps, when I do mini-squats, etc. It has to hang in there until I get the left one sorted out!

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@jellycats Congratulations on your success, I am excited for you. I am 115 on my L knee and it is very liveable. I never had that tight band feeling that so people do seem to have.
Looking forward to reports on continued improvement. You must be so relieved to be getting there without additional surgery. Phew.
JK

REPLY
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Jun 19, 2019
In reply to @jellycats "Because I inquired about MUA, thought I would post a follow-up. Left TKR was on April..." + (show)
@jellycats

Because I inquired about MUA, thought I would post a follow-up. Left TKR was on April 16. On May 24 ROM was 70 and surgeon thought a MUA might be needed. I saw my surgeon on 6/17 for x-rays and evaluation, and he was excited that in three weeks I had gone from 70 degrees without assistance to 100-105 degrees without assistance--and he saw no reason for MUA. He told me that before the surgery he measured me at 105 (no shock there--I've had terrible ROM due to pain for a number of years) and 130 after the surgery. He was confident that I will continue to gain more ROM over time. I'd like to get to 110-115--that's my goal. I see surgeon again in two months, and he gave me the go-ahead to see a massage therapist for myofascial massage and to resume my weekly sessions with my Pilates instructor (who works with lots of knee/hip patients). I'm reducing my PT visits from 3x each week to 2x, and continuing to swim/do water exercises daily and do my dry land exercises at home. I have the tight band feeling sometimes, sometimes I feel a tight and tender spot right behind the knee when I walk--seems like recovery for many weeks/months after a TKR includes varying types/degrees of pain/discomfort. Trying to take each day as it comes. Of course the right knee is "barking" more--especially on steps, when I do mini-squats, etc. It has to hang in there until I get the left one sorted out!

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@jellycats - I'm so delighted to hear your good news. I know it has to be a relief being able to avoid the MUA. I just had my 2nd TKR in January and I'm feeling for your other knee. How bad is the right knee? Can it take the added stress of being the "strong one"?

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jellycats | @jellycats | Jun 19, 2019

I’m doing my best to keep everything “balanced” — including stretching left and right and doing strengthening exercises both sides. I’ve never had cortisone in my right knee and it’s not quite bone on bone (very thin layer of cartilage left). I see my surgeon for a check up in late August and that might be the time to try cortisone. Never did any good on the left but I understand that one’s knees don’t always behave/respond the same. I just want my left to be as strong and flexible as possible before doing the right!

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debbie64131 | @debbie64131 | Jun 23, 2019
In reply to @sdhkkjmz "I’m 7 months post op. While there feeling gets better, it still always feels tight. Keep..." + (show)
@sdhkkjmz

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!

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What is cpm?

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Jun 23, 2019

Hi @debbie64131 - CPM machine means "continuous passive motion" machine.
Here is another conversation about those:
Here is a little bit more information as well as another Connect conversation about CPM machines:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/cpm-continuous-passive-motion-2549555
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/?pg=24#comment-240588

I think the verdict is still out on use of those machines. I know that there are some clinical trials going on at Mayo but not sure the results are in. I've had two TKR's and didn't use one and I actually don't personally know anyone who has. But they may be great. Are you thinking of trying this kind of therapy?

REPLY
2 replies
debbie64131 | @debbie64131 | Jun 23, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @debbie64131 - CPM machine means "continuous passive motion" machine. Here is another conversation about those:..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @debbie64131 - CPM machine means "continuous passive motion" machine.
Here is another conversation about those:
Here is a little bit more information as well as another Connect conversation about CPM machines:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/cpm-continuous-passive-motion-2549555
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/?pg=24#comment-240588

I think the verdict is still out on use of those machines. I know that there are some clinical trials going on at Mayo but not sure the results are in. I've had two TKR's and didn't use one and I actually don't personally know anyone who has. But they may be great. Are you thinking of trying this kind of therapy?

Jump to this post

I didn’t know what the initials meant but I do know of 3 others that used the machine & they had no issues of scar tissue. They had their machines right after surgery & then at home. I wish I would have had one. I think my scar tissue issues would not have been an issue for me.

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1 reply
doodles418 | @doodles418 | Jun 23, 2019
In reply to @debbie64131 "I didn’t know what the initials meant but I do know of 3 others that used..." + (show)
@debbie64131

I didn’t know what the initials meant but I do know of 3 others that used the machine & they had no issues of scar tissue. They had their machines right after surgery & then at home. I wish I would have had one. I think my scar tissue issues would not have been an issue for me.

Jump to this post

It's really hard to know if it would have helped us with scar tissue, but I would have liked to made that decision for myself. My Dr would not send me home with one after surgery and then after manipulation I was firm that I wanted to try one and he would NOT send me home with one, said the data wasn't there to prove they help.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 23, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @debbie64131 - CPM machine means "continuous passive motion" machine. Here is another conversation about those:..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @debbie64131 - CPM machine means "continuous passive motion" machine.
Here is another conversation about those:
Here is a little bit more information as well as another Connect conversation about CPM machines:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/cpm-continuous-passive-motion-2549555
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/?pg=24#comment-240588

I think the verdict is still out on use of those machines. I know that there are some clinical trials going on at Mayo but not sure the results are in. I've had two TKR's and didn't use one and I actually don't personally know anyone who has. But they may be great. Are you thinking of trying this kind of therapy?

Jump to this post

@debbraw I was given a CPM machine after my first TKR and found it more annoying than helpful so I sent it back early - it was a rental for a specified number of weeks.
After my second TKR there was no mention of one. I had different doctors for the two TKRs. Frankly, the second doctor is a much better doctor.
JK

REPLY
crazz | @crazz | Jun 24, 2019

I saw said he noticed that clients of his tha t had a CPM machine seemed to much better in general? I loved the machine and got on it daily for 8 weeks to "get my knee stretched out each day".

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crazz | @crazz | Jun 24, 2019

Sorry first portion of reply cut off. They brought a CPM machine to my home prior to surgery so I could learn the exercises prior to doing it with pain. The PT I saw said he noticed that clients of his that had a CPM machine post surgery did much better in general. I loved the machine and got on it daily for 8 weeks. It was helpful that my CPM machine came with an actual trainer that helped with suggestions, albeit mostly over the phone. I had no problem with scar tissue. Hope this is helpful

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