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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janedahlgren | @janedahlgren | Sep 7, 2020

In reply to @clbs "It goes away for some people. For many others, like myself, it does NOT go away!..." + (show)

So then what did you do?

clbs | @clbs | Sep 9, 2020

In reply to @janedahlgren "So then what did you do?" + (show)

It’s been 19 months since surgery. Have done a couple different stints of PT; doing home exercises still and also aquacize. Am considering trying laser therapy. My knee doesn’t hurt but that tight band feeling is VERY annoying!

judybearden1 | @judybearden1 | Sep 10, 2020

From everything I've read here, it either goes away or you have it forever. I'm 7 months out and still have it. If you find something that works,let me know.

ruthannejoan | @ruthannejoan | Sep 10, 2020

In reply to @clbs "It’s been 19 months since surgery. Have done a couple different stints of PT; doing home..." + (show)

Do you ever get an explanation to why that tight band feeling exists?

clbs | @clbs | Sep 10, 2020

In reply to @ruthannejoan "Do you ever get an explanation to why that tight band feeling exists?" + (show)

Neither my surgeon nor my physical therapist knows what is causing that tight band feeling or if they do, they don’t know how to get rid of it. I’ve never seen a solution on this site either. Very frustrating!

janedahlgren | @janedahlgren | Sep 10, 2020

In reply to @clbs "Neither my surgeon nor my physical therapist knows what is causing that tight band feeling or..." + (show)

Have you read anything about nerve injury during surgery??

janedahlgren | @janedahlgren | Sep 10, 2020

I suggest you start reading about nerve injury s/p surgery. My whole lower leg feels tight plus I have numbness in bottom of foot. This is due to either a snipped nerve (bad) or a stretched nerve. In my research a stretched nerve takes 6 - 12 wks to resolve. A snipped, cut, or lacerated nerve takes 6 -12 months or longer or may never heal. Good luck. I have foot drop and wear a brace since surgery. I am 6wks out of RTKA and there has been no change to these problems...Surgeon says 3-6 months, because nerve was stretched during surgery, for foot drop to correct itself. We'll see. Giving it another 6wks...

sweede536 | @sweede536 | Sep 10, 2020

I had a tkr 5 years ago. The tight band feeling just below the knee. Its starts on the left to the right side. Feels like someone put a tight band around my knee. Gets tighter as I excercise. I'v fallen 11 times when climbing over things. I go to lift my leg the pain get more intense then I don't lift it high enough and trip. I've had to quit golf, hickinging, long walks. Now I have to go in for the other knee. Starting to have night mares thinking of it.

shmabe | @shmabe | Sep 14, 2020

In reply to @mhort1213 "I have tried water therapy and up to this point has not really helped much if..." + (show)

How is the knee doing now? Here in 2020? I have a very similar problem to yours and I’m desperately seeking help from my surgeon who seems totally puzzled. He ordered blood tests to rule out infection and inflammation but you can see that the knee is swollen. I am 11 weeks postop and the tight band (a.k.a. duct tape) feeling it’s so strong it has me in tears every night. Was curious to know if you also had to fight for your bend every time? My knee stiffens so quickly even after a great stretch. I feel like I have to start over every time. Very frustrated and wondering if there’s anyone like me out there?

judybearden1 | @judybearden1 | Sep 15, 2020

Find a PT that does myofascial release. They will stretch "the band" that you can't. I'm still trying to get mine to let go. I understand that the earlier you start this type of treatment the better. I'm 7 months out.