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Has anyone had a tight band feeling after total knee replacement?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Aug 11 6:49pm | Replies (811)Comment receiving replies
Hi - I just feel I should say something. I guess it is true each knee is individual and no hospital/surgeon is perfect (although, I expect them to be!). I had TKR at Hospital for Special Surgery Nov. 2019. Result is quite good, BUT NOT PERFECT. I have had the tight band across the knee for over 1 year now; it has improved maybe 40%. But also, I have numb areas on leg (especially calf). I can run and play a racquet sport, but if I just run 100 feet to go somewhere, the numbness prevents a full stride. Can't figure that out. I think surgeon(s) damaged the nerves. I am in NO PAIN, and never was in ANY TOUGH PAIN and I can get around well, but I also think my legs are a different length now?? I still have a little swelling around knee. I am less "balanced" than I was pre-surgery (but, not that bad - I just feel a bit "uneven" when walking). The good news:- walking and sports are good and going downstairs is 95% easier as my knee was unstable. And I can now do elliptical trainer since my knee no longer hurts!! Great! BUT, I compare this to my first TKR Nov. 2015 in my local hospital and I had a much better result: the bend is better, no "nerve" damage and numb spots, even more stable, no swelling, even the scar is much neater. My surgeon at HSS is very personable and I am not shy, but I cannot seem to insist that he take a SERIOUS look at the bend, numbness, length of leg, swelling, He has taken xrays, but is there something else that can be done? I go to gym 4 times a week for a year and always work on legs using different machines - and it has helped. Shall I just accept this less-than perfect result? Would PT leg massage help the numbness? Thanks to all. And, best wishes to all.
Replies to "Hi - I just feel I should say something. I guess it is true each knee..."
Hello! I got very excited when I heard about your symptoms after TKR Surgery because I have the exact same symptoms as you after 11 months post surgery. I have been to a neurologist who has suggested that there was some nerve damage during my surgery. When I woke up the nerves in my foot felt like pins and needles but of course when I was in the hospital they said that feeling would go away. Not true! My surgeon denies it was him but could have been whoever stitched me up left the band around my quad on for too long and therefore damaged some of the nerves which is in my foot. I have the same balance problems as you and the same running problem as well as the swelling still exists to the right of my right knee. I can't bend it all the way back and I can't bike although I am able to bike on my recumbent bike just not my outside bike because of the flexion problem. The neurologist has had me on Cymbalta and Gabapentin but neither has worked. I am getting to the point where I may just have to accept that there was damage done down there and I have to live with it. I am able to play tennis but the pins and needle feeling are there all the time and I have that balance issue because of it. I don't think PT leg massage would help because I believe it is a nerve issue. Also been through four different nerve tests which showed there was nothing wrong with my back or my arteries in my legs to cause this problem.
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@tennisgolf This is a tough question. I have generally stayed out of this discussion because although I have had two TKRs, neither caused a tight band feeling. The Hospital for Special Surgery is supposed to be the best from what I have heard but even the very best hospitals can have a doctor or two who are not quite up to par with the rest of the doctors, and even the best doctors sometimes have less than perfect results. They are human, after all.
I don't think any TKR is perfect. Everyone has some limitations after a TKR. I can't really fully kneel both because it is uncomfortable and I don't have quite the flex to allow that without toppling forward. I hate that, but it is what it is. I seriously doubt that I could do racquet sports.
I think before accepting the limitations you are experiencing you should get a second opinion from another orthopedic surgeon who is very highly regarded. It is possible that you may have to live with the limitations but I would not settle until I had explored all avenues. I had a friend who went through agony for two years before finding a doctor who diagnosed the problem and fixed it. If you don't explore further you will always wonder if it could be better. I hope you are able to find a great doctor who can look at your knee and advise you well.
JK