1. < Joint Replacements

IT band syndrome after knee replacement

Posted by Faith M @collielady, Jul 26, 2018

I had both knees replaces last month. Right on 6/4 and left on 6/13. The right knee has done great. But the left has had issues. This week both PT and the surgeon's nurse said I have IT band syndrome. PT put a strip of K-tape down the side of my leg and suggests ice massage to the area. And the nurse showed me a stretching exercise to do. I am wondering if others have had this problem and how it was handled and how long it took to get better. The pain behind my knee prevents me from raising my leg while walking.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

autp17 | @autp17 | Jan 10, 2021
In reply to @erikas "@autp17 You will see that I have moved your question into a discussion where members are..." + (show)
@erikas

@autp17 You will see that I have moved your question into a discussion where members are currently discussing IT Band Syndrome after TKR. I did this so you could more quickly connect and get support. It look like you partook in this conversation before. May I ask if you had a chance to scroll through the past posts and read suggestions and experiences from members like @mhort1213 @contentandwell @perryl

May I ask how Active Release Technique is different from myofascial release? I believe that ART is an aggressive form of myofascial release. Is this your understanding as well?

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I don't know the difference just that this is working for me.

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autp17 | @autp17 | Jan 11, 2021
In reply to @topdog11 "Is the pain behind your knee associated with the IT Syndrome? I have pain behind my..." + (show)
@topdog11

Is the pain behind your knee associated with the IT Syndrome? I have pain behind my knee that feels like it is full of liquid and when I bend it is squeezing that liquid and that hurts like crazy. I also have pain behind my knee when I walk that feels like a tendon, ligament or something is being stretched to its limit and then pops, then with my next steps it starts again. I was wondering if one of the two pains could be IT problems. If either of these is what you are experiencing, I have been having this pain since about week 8 and I am now about 16 weeks out and still have it.

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I have pain on the outside of my knee, no swelling behind my knee. The IT band is on the outside attached to hip and goes to the knee.
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autp17 | @autp17 | Jan 11, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "Good morning @autp. It looks like you have tried and been responsive to suggestions from your..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good morning @autp. It looks like you have tried and been responsive to suggestions from your providers. I have had similar issues post TKR. Let me see if this will have meaning. Since the IT band is a connective tissue composed of thick fascia, it just might be responsive to myofascial release therapy, MFR. I would like to invite @jenniferhunter to jump in here with her broad understanding of connective tissue and its responsiveness to Myofascial Release Therapy.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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I am doing Active Release Therapy (ART) and the first treatment seems to be helping. I will check out if this doesn't help me. Thanks for all the information.
Terri

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5rightkneesurgeries | @5rightkneesurgeries | Feb 8, 2021

TKR 11/30/20 and immediately had radiating pain coming from outside of the knee. Put a finger on the outer bony area there and can literally feel the IT band grind over it as I move my leg. Cortisone shot two weeks ago did nothing. I’ve noticed most stretches seem designed for IT hip pain and really don’t get to any tightness around the knee. After 8 weeks of PT, massage therapy, cortisone, personal massage, massage gun, stretching beyond belief, the pain on good days has gone from about a 9 to about a 5 (bad days are still a 7). Would love to hear updates from some of the people who started this thread two years ago. At this point the surgery has not been worth it (combined with severe tightness around the top of the knee).

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Erika | @erikas | Feb 8, 2021
In reply to @5rightkneesurgeries "TKR 11/30/20 and immediately had radiating pain coming from outside of the knee. Put a finger..." + (show)
@5rightkneesurgeries

TKR 11/30/20 and immediately had radiating pain coming from outside of the knee. Put a finger on the outer bony area there and can literally feel the IT band grind over it as I move my leg. Cortisone shot two weeks ago did nothing. I’ve noticed most stretches seem designed for IT hip pain and really don’t get to any tightness around the knee. After 8 weeks of PT, massage therapy, cortisone, personal massage, massage gun, stretching beyond belief, the pain on good days has gone from about a 9 to about a 5 (bad days are still a 7). Would love to hear updates from some of the people who started this thread two years ago. At this point the surgery has not been worth it (combined with severe tightness around the top of the knee).

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@5rightkneesurgeries Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Since you TKR you've have had significant pain despite your efforts of PT, massage therapy, cortisone, personal massage, massage gun, and stretching beyond belief. That must be extremely difficult, especially since you have tried so treatments. Members like @autp17 @ptbradshaw @judybearden1 have discussed this topic and may be able to offer you support.

@bluebrass @janete718 @clbs @scgraham @toromama @ruthannejoan @stp258 @ellenka have discussed this topic in another discussion that I have linked below. You may wish to scroll through the posts for pertinent information.
- Has anyone had a tight band feeling after total knee replacement? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-a-tight-band-feeling-after-total-knee-replacement/

Myofascial release is gaining steam and members like @artscaping @jenniferhunter have discussed this topic previously and may be able to offer further information.

May I ask if myofascial release was discussed or utilized during PT or massage?

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Feb 10, 2021
In reply to @autp17 "I am doing Active Release Therapy (ART) and the first treatment seems to be helping. I..." + (show)
@autp17

I am doing Active Release Therapy (ART) and the first treatment seems to be helping. I will check out if this doesn't help me. Thanks for all the information.
Terri

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@autp17 Greeting.....how is ART treating you. I am very interested in knowing how the rest of your treatments are going. It has been a couple of months. You said you would check-in if it didn't help. So...have I missed your message? Do you have good news for us?

May you live today with peace and ease.
Chris

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5rightkneesurgeries | @5rightkneesurgeries | Feb 24, 2021

Update: I tried three different massage therapists to do myofascial release. The third time was a charm. For the first time in 12 weeks I could no longer feel my IT band grind as I walked. Although it’s come back a little after a couple of days, it’s still better than it was. This third one really got into the hamstring in the back of the knee and I think that helped loosen the IT. Looking forward to going back for a second treatment with this person and hopefully longer relief as time goes on.

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joanna626 | @joanna626 | Apr 9, 2021
In reply to @mhort1213 "What are your symptoms with IT band syndrome?" + (show)
@mhort1213

What are your symptoms with IT band syndrome?

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My husband's knee sounds like Velcro when he bend on a bike. He is in pain. I told him to stop on the bike and walk more. It is the left knee - outside - ITBand location

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 9, 2021
In reply to @joanna626 "My husband's knee sounds like Velcro when he bend on a bike. He is in pain...." + (show)
@joanna626

My husband's knee sounds like Velcro when he bend on a bike. He is in pain. I told him to stop on the bike and walk more. It is the left knee - outside - ITBand location

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Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of people living with a variety of conditions, who try to help each other along the way.
Has your husband had a total or partial knee replacement recently? If so, has he talked to his surgeon? There are ways to stretch the IT band but it needs to be done correctly after knee surgery, often with guidance by a PT to begin. Sometimes scar tissue has formed and needs to be "encouraged" to release.
Let us know how he does.
Sue

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1 reply
joanna626 | @joanna626 | Apr 9, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of people living with a variety..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of people living with a variety of conditions, who try to help each other along the way.
Has your husband had a total or partial knee replacement recently? If so, has he talked to his surgeon? There are ways to stretch the IT band but it needs to be done correctly after knee surgery, often with guidance by a PT to begin. Sometimes scar tissue has formed and needs to be "encouraged" to release.
Let us know how he does.
Sue

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He had done at Mayo over a year ago. He has talked to surgeon who told him to ride bike, walk, stretch. It is the bike riding which worse so I told him to stop and walk longer. The PT made it worse as the man (PT) did not read prescription from doc. We worked with a friend of mine until Covid - then all went downhill and I need stretches. I think I know what to do but am trying to verify. He cannot get down on floor for roller. I have TRX. Thanks. BUT THE VELCRO SOUND -- OMG ... what cause that? Thanks again. j

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