Has anyone had a tight band feeling after total knee replacement?
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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Great advise, pre op exercises is not something that gets much attention….
Do you think the stationary bike is a suitable way to do that?
I think the stationary bike can be part of the exercises but the ones that really help I think are the ones that target the specific muscles you will need for rehab. Here's a list of the ones I focused on - https://www.allinahealth.org/health-conditions-and-treatments/health-library/patient-education/total-knee-replacement/preparing-for-surgery/before-surgery-knee-exercises
I had a tkr four months ago. I have had nothing but pain . They say it is my IT band
Yes I do too. I am 3month next week and the band has felt the same for about a month. Before that it felt like I had a metal brace I was breaking out of.
I always think of that psoriasis commercial on TV with the metal on the elbows. I've had many surgeries but this I've never had this feeling. I'm still slightly swollen and very numb. My range of motion is good- 130 and my extension is 0 .
Does the band correspond with numb area? It does for me to a large degree - so I wonder if tightness is the brain's way of dealing with that numbness.
I don't think so. Last night, for no apparent reason, I noticed one of the bands is GONE! Yay.... but still very numb. Maybe I just need to post to get progress! Ha
Good for you - instant healing is great! Keep posting ...
I had a fall in 2018 and broke my right knee and had to have a plate and screws put in. After surgery and therapy I had the tight band feeling and had it for 3 years. I had the shots but they did nothing. In 2021 I saw a new dr and he did a TKR on it in June. I have the tight band feeling again. Today my therapist and I both agreed that I’ve reached a plateau. It’s not getting any better. I have good ROM and no problem walking but having to stand too long hurts. Sitting too long with my knee bent hurts and very uncomfortable so I have to have it straight and propped up. My tightness is below and around my knee and goes into my calf sometimes, mostly if I’m standing too long. Like when fixing dinner. I’m leary that this is never going away. I’m not able to go down steps very good and when putting on pants I can’t bring my leg up high enough so have to lean against something to keep from falling. I don’t know what to do. When I broke it I could at least go up and down stairs no problem and could put pants on no problem either.
You have my sympathy. The tight band feeling seems to be neglected or marginalised by the health systems. Why? It affects too many, I feel. Mine is so tight it causes my knee to knock and click. That feels like it is damaging my knee further.
I had a TKR 7 months ago. I had the same exact symptoms you describe. Tight band, calves, hamstrings, difficulty picking up leg to put on pants. It’s getting much better. KEEP moving! I ride my indoor cycle daily, PT exercises and frequent stretching. My PT worked hard to break up tight fascia and scar tissue. I hit a few plateaus along the way. You can’t give up. I’ve “graduated from PT and now continue to build up strength on my own. I have also started myofascia release massage and that has been super helpful in getting some of that tightness to release. Of course that is N out of pocket expense because insurance is not interested in your comfort level. Sending you good thoughts. Don’t give up.