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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@ezas123

I still ice every nite …. And I use rolling pin for like 8 minutes every night I found video on you tube to help swelling .

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Where do you use the rolling pin? Do you do so intensely or gently? How do you tell it is working?

Thanks in advance.

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I was going to explain it to you but you can just go on YouTube and type in rolling pin after total knee replacement….. a lot easier to watch a few will pop up watch a few different ones ….. but I do front back of thigh …. And behind my calf bring up all the way behind my knee up to thigh…. I think as far as how intense do to your comfort level Like…..I can use pressure when doing now at first I could not …..I do 8 min twice a day you can do more….for me I knew was working because before I started rolling my thigh and my calf were so tight it was painful…..now not totally out of pain but much better….

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@ezas123

I was going to explain it to you but you can just go on YouTube and type in rolling pin after total knee replacement….. a lot easier to watch a few will pop up watch a few different ones ….. but I do front back of thigh …. And behind my calf bring up all the way behind my knee up to thigh…. I think as far as how intense do to your comfort level Like…..I can use pressure when doing now at first I could not …..I do 8 min twice a day you can do more….for me I knew was working because before I started rolling my thigh and my calf were so tight it was painful…..now not totally out of pain but much better….

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Many thanks indeed. Videos are good - but personal experience you give is also vital.

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I had my second opinion yesterday. They did say my knee is a hair out line but he did not feel just that cause all the issues…..so they started out with blood work make sure no infection which test back already no infection … so they are going to call me let me know what test they want me to go for next…. He said step by step rule things out…I do have some piece of mind he said something definitely going on or I would be able have more flexion….I told him how other dr told me was all in my head that I can’t bend my knee , and how I asked repeatedly for cat scan or X-rays because I felt something wrong…..His reply was not beneficial at this time…..So happy to have a new dr willing to look into what can possibly causing the pain and lack of movement….I can’t go back to the dr who did this I have zero confidence in him….So I have renewed hope …..I will continue my water therapy and mfr until we know what’s going on. Thank you all for listening and support it is very much appreciated……

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@ezas123

I had my second opinion yesterday. They did say my knee is a hair out line but he did not feel just that cause all the issues…..so they started out with blood work make sure no infection which test back already no infection … so they are going to call me let me know what test they want me to go for next…. He said step by step rule things out…I do have some piece of mind he said something definitely going on or I would be able have more flexion….I told him how other dr told me was all in my head that I can’t bend my knee , and how I asked repeatedly for cat scan or X-rays because I felt something wrong…..His reply was not beneficial at this time…..So happy to have a new dr willing to look into what can possibly causing the pain and lack of movement….I can’t go back to the dr who did this I have zero confidence in him….So I have renewed hope …..I will continue my water therapy and mfr until we know what’s going on. Thank you all for listening and support it is very much appreciated……

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Please keep us updated

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@judybearden1

Please keep us updated

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Thank you

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Yes I had that quite severe. I’m 13 months post surgery & still have that tightness though it’s better than it was. I understand that improvement with this & other symptoms can continue for another year or so. Just keep up your therapy, walk & just keep moving. Good luck.

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@mhort1213

Wow...I can't imagine having to live with what you have described and what I am also going through! I am 10 weeks post surgery and I just went to the doctor yesterday who once again reassured me that the band feeling and the fluid on my knee would go away in time and that is all normal. It is very uncomfortable and painful at times. I need to have my other knee done as well and am fearful now of having the same issue. Good luck. I hope your issue resolves soon.

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I am 75 years old; had total knee replacement over 5 years ago and knee still feels like tight band around it. By the end of the day I am in a lot of pain.
I have a LOT of scar tissue; this is how my body responds. I keep trying to find a noninvasive way to get rid of scar tissue. I have tried acupuncture, PT, and massage. I will be trying cold laser therapy next. Will let you know how that goes.

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I'm 4 weeks post total knee replacement and the tightness is unbearable at times, I know its early days but uts keeping me awake at night and I can't get comfortable in my chair during the day. I take pain relief, do my exercises and cold compress. Any advise, also roughly when will this start to subside. Its very painfull and tight sometimes I can bearly bend my knee.

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@jammyjan123

I'm 4 weeks post total knee replacement and the tightness is unbearable at times, I know its early days but uts keeping me awake at night and I can't get comfortable in my chair during the day. I take pain relief, do my exercises and cold compress. Any advise, also roughly when will this start to subside. Its very painfull and tight sometimes I can bearly bend my knee.

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Hi @jammyjan123 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! So glad you found us. We have a number of members who have experienced the symptom you are having after their total knee replacement, so I moved your post so that you can connect with other members like @bunky, @didlick, @ezas123, and @judybearden1

You can find your post here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-a-tight-band-feeling-after-total-knee-replacement/?pg=50#comment-718815

Have you discussed your pain and tightness with your surgeon?

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