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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@cbatteast

My Knee replacement is 3 years old. I have full range of motion. However, it feels like there is a tight band around my knee. I also have a tender spot right below my outer knee. My other knee is starting to give me trouble and my doctor is recommending another replacement. I feel the same way you do. It doesn’t make sense to have a 2nd knee replacement and i end up with the same outcome. I think I will pass on it until i get some relief!

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Thinking you are making right choice to not do surgery. If I had to do it over, I would have figured out a way to not have mine done. There should be therapy for your original knee. Just was looking on Amazon for books by McKenzie, for back issues and he has one on knee maintenance. Hoping your surgical knee improves.

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Two weeks out right knee replacement…. I also have that tight band feeling …,, I started pt last week I have been try to push through a little more with each stretch…..has anyone ever broken the band on there own if so which exercise might be the most helpful….. thank you any help greatly appreciated

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@ezas123

Two weeks out right knee replacement…. I also have that tight band feeling …,, I started pt last week I have been try to push through a little more with each stretch…..has anyone ever broken the band on there own if so which exercise might be the most helpful….. thank you any help greatly appreciated

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I’m wondering if the joint they put in isn’t too large? And it spreads the knee and ligaments too far. And hence our tight bands.

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@futureglory

I’m wondering if the joint they put in isn’t too large? And it spreads the knee and ligaments too far. And hence our tight bands.

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Right now I am confident in my dr that everting is right that has to be in there …..just tells me have i to break through band or they will do under local ….. how do you push yourself through that much pain ….. I try and push a little harder ever exercise only to wake up feeling like in same place in morning……trust me i heard stories from people where they feel it just broke and they were sore but great….. that’s why I am asking if anyone know of a manipulation that may have helped …. Thank you for feedback I appreciate it

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@ezas123

Two weeks out right knee replacement…. I also have that tight band feeling …,, I started pt last week I have been try to push through a little more with each stretch…..has anyone ever broken the band on there own if so which exercise might be the most helpful….. thank you any help greatly appreciated

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In my experience, I am 4 months post TKR surgeon used new robot to help. My therapist had me in his office day I got home to begin therapy.
I went to him 6 weeks preop to prepare for surgery. That tight band feeling is gone. I attribute it to having an excellent surgeon and excellent physical therapist. So far am doing very well they say. So far it has been much easier after three months than my reverse total shoulder replacement a few years ago, of which I had the same surgeon and therapist. Where I go for therapy I have my same therapist every single visit. He has been amazing. I have to be careful not to overwork it and still need to strengthen more to go up n downstairs normally. Sometimes have a little pain where it goes into the tibia but both tell me it’s early give everything a year to heal. Would do it again as I don’t have that horrible pain before. Same with shoulder. Even though I still see therapist every 4-8 weeks for dry needling of shoulder cause sometimes I overdue things but that helps everytime. Taping helps me too.
Good luck.

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It seems every day the main topic is “tight band feeling” . If this is so prevalent, why don’t we hear of research into this problem? Why don’t we hear from a fine institution like the Mayo Clinic into causes and cures ? There should be something on this site about it.Don’t you think that this problem should be catching someone’s attention.Maybe there is something about it and I’m missing it. I realize this is a website for patients.But it seems like we’re spinning our wheels on this issue
Chickenhaslips

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@chickenhaslips

It seems every day the main topic is “tight band feeling” . If this is so prevalent, why don’t we hear of research into this problem? Why don’t we hear from a fine institution like the Mayo Clinic into causes and cures ? There should be something on this site about it.Don’t you think that this problem should be catching someone’s attention.Maybe there is something about it and I’m missing it. I realize this is a website for patients.But it seems like we’re spinning our wheels on this issue
Chickenhaslips

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I've wondered this myself. Seems like a proactive doctor would be on this list listening to everyone's concerns.

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yes and that feeling is still here one year after surgery. I excersice daily and it is still there no pain just very tight. I am able to stretch my leg and bend my knee so annoying

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@judybearden1

I've wondered this myself. Seems like a proactive doctor would be on this list listening to everyone's concerns.

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Mayo Connect is a network of patients and caregivers who share a variety of medical conditions and diseases. Our goal is to share experiences and support one another on our journeys.

Although there are some doctors and other medical professionals who are members, there are no physicians here to dispense advice, or to gather data. That would change the tone and purpose of this group.

All that said, I too am surprised to find little or no research-based information to show that the issue has been studied in any detail, but there are many articles about it by doctors and orthopedic groups that you can read. Then I remember, the posts on Mayo Connect are not necessarily representative of every person who has had a TKR, just those who have found us by searching for those words. So the more posts there are, the more people will find this discussion while looking for answers.

I just spent time with a friend who had her kneed replaced in May, and asked about the issue. She said - "Yes, I had it last time too, and the doctor and PT insisted I keep stretching - I did and it eventually went away. So that's what I'm doing this time too."

Remember, the surgery has greviously insulted your body - it has the right to protest! Hang in there. I haven't had my knees replaced yet, but have had a dozen orthopedic surgeries, including 5 hip replacements/revisions. There is a healing process every time, with surprising aches, pains, nerve zaps, etc. In my case, most heve eventually disappeared, or I have figured out how to live with them.
Sue

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@chickenhaslips

It seems every day the main topic is “tight band feeling” . If this is so prevalent, why don’t we hear of research into this problem? Why don’t we hear from a fine institution like the Mayo Clinic into causes and cures ? There should be something on this site about it.Don’t you think that this problem should be catching someone’s attention.Maybe there is something about it and I’m missing it. I realize this is a website for patients.But it seems like we’re spinning our wheels on this issue
Chickenhaslips

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Amen to that. I came to this site wondering the same thing 2 years ago. At 4 years post-surgery, I’m still hoping that some doctor somewhere is listening.

Are the percentages too small with this lovely side-effect to be bothered with the research?

I know close to 50 folks who have had TKR. I’m the only one with this tight band feeling. Most of my friends were put on a CPM machine right after surgery. I was not.

How many of you were put on the the CPM machine?

My heart breaks for all of you who are dealing with this 24/7.

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