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

July 26 had TKR on the left. So glad I found this group. I’ve been made to feel my continuing need for narcotic pain relief is unusual. As a result of only taking a Tramadol 50 when pain is a 9 I haven’t slept in two nights and couldn’t meet with my PT. I’m to get staples out in 2 days and hope the support from this thread will help me feel confident to request a Rx refill. All the best to my fellow travelers.

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I am 4+ months post OP and still have the tight band and pain with flexion and extension. I am going to another Dr. tomorrow for my other knee and will ask him about it. I am wondering if it will ever go away!

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Plan B is a nerve block in my back. He thinks there might be a nerve running down my leg that is involved. Not sure if i will go for Plan B,C or any other at this point. They just don't seem to get it. It's not pain, it's tightness.

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I'm almost 11 months into a TKR and I have the tight band feeling. My sense is that it is normal.

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Hi , I am 7 months out and I severely experienced that . It is much better but not 100% gone yet. I exercise every single day and I keep stretching and bending it and pushing myself . The other thing is I have one of those type of floor bikes for lateral . It helps me a lot . It loosens it . I use it every other day . These humid and rainy days are hard so many of them all the time . I’m in Michigan . The bike machine is called the scoop if interested . I’m not a sales person just a patient that was in so much pain and my bend was slower and I was so frustrated . I am so glad that I have no more pain . It took a good 5 months before I could use it. There are exercises too for lateral muscles . My understanding is it builds muscle around your knees .

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Hi @deedar, I am having TKR surgery one week from today. I would like to know how to avoid arthrofibrosis this time. Last time, I developed it and had to have it resolved with MFR, myofascial release therapy. What has been your solution?

May you be free of pain and discomfort.
Chris

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Hi but is the pain gone? I could live with it, if I wasn't having pain. I'm 4 weeks post op, terrible band feeling. I'm afraid they will want to do the manipulation though, even though my bend right now is 114%

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Hi, I'm having this same problem my TKR was July 26th. Terrible pain and the feeling a steel band is tightening around my knee! Had alot of tourniquet pain, and nerve damage.. what is causing this? I've been doing PT, I'm 3 weeks 3 days in, and have a 114 flexion, that I've been working hard for... but this tight band feeling, tightens right back up after exercise! I'm afraid they will want to do the manipulation, because they think it is scar tissue. But I've been working so hard! Thank you let me know if you have any answers. Does the pain go away?

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My band feeling has not gone away and my surgery date was 2/12/20. I made an appointment with my NP who has an idea of what it may be. I'm waiting for confirmation before I post something on here. Good luck, keep pushing and icing.

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No. When I go for a long walk, or are on my feet a long time the pain level can jump up. If I’m sitting, the pain is low.

But always, there is this sensation that I have on a knee sock that is way too tight, or sometimes like a charlie horse (cramp) in my calf. If I feel my leg, the muscles are not hard or contracted.

So it is my totally uneducated opinion that this feeling or sensation is nerve damage or something is impinging on a nerve.

Why there is not a “fix” for this, it seems we will never know. I just made up my mind a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t let it destroy my life. Im not on pain killers. Just try not to think about it.

Praying you will phase out of this. Many patients get much better at 6 months. Im at 4 years.

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