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

Re dixie dog and dcwest 8 months is apparently not that unusual to have this. I was terrible at 8 months as per my earlier post. As I said, needed rx anti inflammatory meds for a while and they helped get me through it and keep moving which is so so important. Re dcwest with surgery from over 2 yrs ago, I feel so bad for you. Have you discussed the possibility of an allergy to the metal components of orthotic? I have severe nickel allergy and my local docs ignored my concerns. I went to a Dr. Westrich at hospital for special surgery in nyc and he used a ceramic replacement. The allergy issue is very controversial but cannot be discounted. Check out his website. The ceramic device I have is made from oxinium.

I had TKR on Jan 25, 2018 and although I have good ROM, I also suffer with a tight band feeling around my lower knee and an area of pain on the outside of my knee. After 3 cortisone shots I'm now back in PT with Astym treatment. So far no further relief and told it's scar tissue. I'll give it a few more weeks of PT, but afraid I may just have to deal with the pain. Someone just told me about Prolotherapy. Has anyone done Prolotherapy for knee pain after TKR?

I have considered trying Astym but my PT doesn’t feel it will work for several reasons, many as he doesn’t think scar tissue is the root cause of my pain. However, I have used it on my hip but minimal relief. My biggest issue with this that you can’t do on your own to carry over after therapy is done.
I read up on Prolotherapy and it’s an interesting theory (how it works) but the evidence to support it for optimal outcomes is very limited. When they mention the cost, upwards to $1000, I am assuming it’s per injection and several injections are suggested. I look forwards to hearing others experience with this.

Happy NEW DECADE to all! I had TKR on left in 2015. Perfect result - hardly any pain; works well. Had TKR on right knee 13 month ago. Hardly any pain, but more difficulty. I do have the "Tight Band" on top of knee (a little to right of center). Tightness has decreased 70% (?) over the year. However, THIS LEG HAS HAD NUMBNESS SINCE THE SURGERY and still does. Numbness around knee and calf has decreased (maybe 50%), but is still very present. I am concerned about circulation (I do have some circulation issues in both legs showing blue/purple veins especially in feet. When I use corrective stockings it improves for a while.) Two things: I can play a racquet sport with no problem. Climbing UPstairs is definitely a problem now - it is an effort and I have to rest at top (and, again, I can play Pickleball for 2 hours.) Going DOWNstairs I have to hold on, go slowly as my "rhythm" / or coordination is off. Possibly NERVE DAMAGE??? Surgeon has nothing to offer.

My guest (as I am not a doctor) is that you do have nerve damage. Tightness and tinkling were symptoms I had. My surgeon certainly didn’t have any answers and referred me to a physiatrist. It was there that I got my diagnosis of nerve pain otherwise known as complex regional pain syndrome.

Sadly I’m 8 months out have the syndrome you describe. I walk like a pirate (kind of peg legged). Haven’t slept more than an hour without waking due to the tightness causes the leg to be so stiff it won’t bend. My range of motion is “Norman” but the I feel like I have to force it to Bend. I’m told the X-ray show ms the knee replacement looks great. I wish I never had the surgery. My pain was bad due to arthritis before the surgery (mostly if I over used it). Not it’s constant and regular daily activity is limited. I’m told all will miraculously get better when it’s a year post op. Hmmm that doesn’t make sense. The knee has gotten worse and/or has had no improvement for 4 months.

My TKR has been 2 years and I still have a tight band feeling around my knee and swelling.

@tennisgolf That's amazing that you can play those sports yet have trouble on the stairs! Overall it sounds as if things are going pretty well though. It does sound as if circulation may be a problem. There are tests that can be done for that I think. I know before I had varicose vein surgery a number of years ago, they did a test for my circulation to see if it was being affected -- it was.

@danielcwest If your pain is getting worse it sounds to me as if it's time to see another doctor, someone not associated with the same hospital as your current doctor.

@lukyme I never had that tight band feeling with either knee but it does seem to be very common. I hope it goes away in time.
JK

Hi everyone it's been awhile since I have been on this site so I will give my experience over again. I had my 1st TKR on Jan, 8 2019 which was very unsuccessful. The Dr. did say that he may have misjudged the size of my knee & he put a larger spacer, anyways I had home PT and afterwards I had outpatient PT the knee still didn't bend. My surgeon then suggested I have a (2nd surgery) MUA that was scheduled for February 21st, 2019 I had good ROM for awhile, but then it started freezing up again. My PT contacted my surgeon & told him that something wasn't right and that he needed to see as soon as possible, which he did. He then suggested that he may need to go back in to put a smaller spacer. The 3rd surgery was scheduled for May 21, 2019 which meant I had to start all over again, all the pain the agony loss of sleep etc. The dr. said I had so much scar tissue like none he had ever seen before out of all the years he has been doing surgeries. He went in cleaned up as much scar tissue as possible, took cultures for infections and put a smaller spacer. Once again I did therapy and everything that I was suppose to do, just to have the scar tissue build up again and cause me not to be able to bend my knee. After some months I had arthroscopic surgery in Nov. 2019 once again he went in cleaned out some scar tissue & did another culture because he wasn't able to get enough fluid to send off before. I went back in about two & 1/2 weeks later, he said that everything looked good, but he was puzzled as to why I was still having so much pain & could barely lift my leg. He referred me out to the orthopedic office in Gainesville, Fl. I went there on Friday Dec. 27,2019. The orthopedic took an x-ray and said that everything looks good & that the 1st surgeon did everything accordingly. This doctor said the reason i'm probably in so much pain is because of the multiple surgeries that I have had so close together. He suggested that I get a nerve block to try and break up the scar tissue so that I can bend the knee, wants me to continue therapy. I have to go back to my surgeon soon I guess that he will schedule for the nerve block, but i'm not sure yet. One thing I am sure of is that I want this pain to go and that I will be able to bend my knee without the complications. Well this is my story I may have left a few things out due to experiencing so much in the past year.

Wow, what an ordeal. I too had a TKR in January 2018. I had scar tissue as well. Pain and swelling in my knee still exist although the swelling has diminished some. I had a nerve block which helped with the pain and swelling and nerve damage. I’m no doctor but when you are having a TKR nerves are cut and symptoms start presenting themselves. Therein lies the problem, surgeons have no idea (my surgeon for one) how or why their patient is complaining of stiff knee, band tightness, tinkling and sharp pains in knee. Crazy. I went to a pain management/orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed immediately with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), there is no cure but there is relief with the nerve block. Hope this helps, stay focused on good thoughts. Stay away from anymore surgery on that knee. Best wishes for relief.