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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@sierrashopper

Yes, you are correct in that recommendations do vary. PT had me using the leg press right after surgery; they said not to use the leg press until well into healing though. It is amazing how different everyone recovers. At 8 months I was at the point where my friend was at 2 months. My heart goes out to those who are continuing to struggle long term. Wish there were answers.

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Well we are all in the same boat lol. I guess various PT’s have different recommendations. I used the leg press during therapy sessions. I agree the recumbent bike is good. I have been using the elliptical; therapist did not object. I walk on treadmill. Chair yoga is ok. I sincerely hope the band disappears in two months then I will be 😃 happy.

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@scgraham

I will clarify what i meant by "tight band" and it may not be the same as what other posters mean. It feel like a tourniquet is around my leg just below my knee. And the pain extends to the calf area of my leg, feeling like an extremely tight compression feeling. My muscles are soft, not contracted. My knee cap is not involved. I am 19 months post surgery.

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I had this for four years since my surgery. Yesterday I noticed my right foot was was pointed out. Last day I've tried walking with my foot straight and it seems to really helped. Will call my doctor for an appointment. Foot feet before operation were very straight. Not the knee I had operation on lower leg is pointed way to the right. Never noticed before. I've tried to keep it straight and it seems to help.

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The tight "band like" feeling I have is just above the knee cap and on the left side of the knee. It feels like someone has tied a band around my knee and now everything is just tight. I have also had a lot of swelling that Dr. and PT just keep saying "will go away". I have also experienced the "burning" and "pins and needles" feeling.PT says it's just the nerves waking back up. With all this pain at 5 weeks out not sure how I am supposed to control it. Dr. took me off pain meds at 1 1/2 weeks.

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Good afternoon @lhruza, thank you for posting about the "band-like" feeling you have post TKR. It appears that you may have disturbed the fascia that covers every organ and part of your body. And there may be some adjustments you need in the medications that your Dr prescribed. Swelling often includes an increase in the edema or inflammation fluids that can cause discomfort. And edema in the physical therapy world is often called "glue". It just gets sticky and involves much of the tissue around it. It takes a while to break it down using treatment like MFR, myofascial release therapy. I do encourage you to take it easy with re-introduction to exercise and former pre-surgery activities.

Here is a link to the post that discusses many of these issues.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-can-you-do-to-extend-the-life-of-your-tkr-and-mobility/
This is the link to myofascial release therapy.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Be safe and protected and let me know how we can help you. Chris

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@lhruza

The tight "band like" feeling I have is just above the knee cap and on the left side of the knee. It feels like someone has tied a band around my knee and now everything is just tight. I have also had a lot of swelling that Dr. and PT just keep saying "will go away". I have also experienced the "burning" and "pins and needles" feeling.PT says it's just the nerves waking back up. With all this pain at 5 weeks out not sure how I am supposed to control it. Dr. took me off pain meds at 1 1/2 weeks.

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Maybe you can get a rx for an anti-inflammatory like mobic and take it with tylenol.

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@artscaping

Good afternoon @lhruza, thank you for posting about the "band-like" feeling you have post TKR. It appears that you may have disturbed the fascia that covers every organ and part of your body. And there may be some adjustments you need in the medications that your Dr prescribed. Swelling often includes an increase in the edema or inflammation fluids that can cause discomfort. And edema in the physical therapy world is often called "glue". It just gets sticky and involves much of the tissue around it. It takes a while to break it down using treatment like MFR, myofascial release therapy. I do encourage you to take it easy with re-introduction to exercise and former pre-surgery activities.

Here is a link to the post that discusses many of these issues.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-can-you-do-to-extend-the-life-of-your-tkr-and-mobility/
This is the link to myofascial release therapy.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Be safe and protected and let me know how we can help you. Chris

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I forgot to mention ice oacks as well as anti-inflammatory and tylenol in my post a few minutes ago.

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@lhruza

The tight "band like" feeling I have is just above the knee cap and on the left side of the knee. It feels like someone has tied a band around my knee and now everything is just tight. I have also had a lot of swelling that Dr. and PT just keep saying "will go away". I have also experienced the "burning" and "pins and needles" feeling.PT says it's just the nerves waking back up. With all this pain at 5 weeks out not sure how I am supposed to control it. Dr. took me off pain meds at 1 1/2 weeks.

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I had my Right knee done 4 years ago and I still have the tight ban feeling. The more I walk the tighter it gets.
Just went through a treatment at the pain center where they put probes around the knee. It's a cold process that is supposed to deaden the nerves. It's working somewhat, they say it could take weeks. Just have to wait and see.

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I too have that "tight band like feeling" Saw my surgeon yesterday and he doesn't seem concerned. Says I could try heat to loosen it up. Odd thing is it just came out of nowhere after PT . I am 5 weeks out from TKR

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@sierrashopper

Maybe you can get a rx for an anti-inflammatory like mobic and take it with tylenol.

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I cannot take anti inflammatory meds (NSAIDS) because of kidney issues

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@lhruza

I too have that "tight band like feeling" Saw my surgeon yesterday and he doesn't seem concerned. Says I could try heat to loosen it up. Odd thing is it just came out of nowhere after PT . I am 5 weeks out from TKR

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My surgeon didnt think anything of it. As long as it works his job is done. Well it's not! Went to his lady PA and she was great. She said as long as it works Surgeons think it's ok. She said I get the one like you with problems. She and the pain center are working hand in hand. Dont just take your surgeons word, keep pushing as they dont want to get I involved, if it works to them, they have done there job. 15% to 20% knee replacements have problems. If I had not pushed and got in to see the PA I wouldn't have got anything done.

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