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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@mpirruccel

Glad you are able to play! I played tennis for decades but will not play again probably. Cycling became my passion but the pain after riding 20-25 miles at 10-12 mph makes it not worth it yet. Hoping myofascial release will help. Plus have appointment for nerve ablation next month. 50:50 chance it will help per pain doc.

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Gentle social doubles should be viable. But 20 miles cycling is a fair distance. So why not cut back to 10 if that leaves knee OK? Or build up to it?

Please post outcomes of MFR and ablation.

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@nicelymanifest

Gentle social doubles should be viable. But 20 miles cycling is a fair distance. So why not cut back to 10 if that leaves knee OK? Or build up to it?

Please post outcomes of MFR and ablation.

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Will post progress with MFR and ablation. Will see what therapist says about cycling. It’s that I was riding 30-50 miles at a faster speed before this mess. Am willing to be patient.

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@mpirruccel

Will post progress with MFR and ablation. Will see what therapist says about cycling. It’s that I was riding 30-50 miles at a faster speed before this mess. Am willing to be patient.

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Expectation in life, in general, can be unwise. So lowering initial cycling expectation will help, I feel. I too can be impatient. But realise so often it is not wise.

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Im 6 weeks tomorrow TKR someone told me to but some cream to rub over the scar to help it geel more and fad, is that advisable. I don't see my consultant until 13th July I'm using moisturiser to help soften the skin. (I'm in the uk) my knee is still very tight and stiff at times. We appear to do thing different here I haven't seen my physio yes not until 7th July I was given exercises to do, quite basic.

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@jammyjan123

Im 6 weeks tomorrow TKR someone told me to but some cream to rub over the scar to help it geel more and fad, is that advisable. I don't see my consultant until 13th July I'm using moisturiser to help soften the skin. (I'm in the uk) my knee is still very tight and stiff at times. We appear to do thing different here I haven't seen my physio yes not until 7th July I was given exercises to do, quite basic.

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You are very early in recovery so stiffness and tightness is pretty normal. Do your exercises every day to help reduce scar tissue and improve mobility. I am still using a CBD cream on my knee for pain at night. Massage and icing help as well to reduce swelling. Saw massage therapist this week and he did myofascial release, cupping, extracorporeal pulse activation technology (like mini jack hammer), and put on roc tape to stay on for a few days. I honestly feel less pain now. Not sure how many visits I will need, but a few I think. Health insurance doesn’t pay but I don’t care if it works. Just be patient as it may take longer than you think.

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@mpirruccel

You are very early in recovery so stiffness and tightness is pretty normal. Do your exercises every day to help reduce scar tissue and improve mobility. I am still using a CBD cream on my knee for pain at night. Massage and icing help as well to reduce swelling. Saw massage therapist this week and he did myofascial release, cupping, extracorporeal pulse activation technology (like mini jack hammer), and put on roc tape to stay on for a few days. I honestly feel less pain now. Not sure how many visits I will need, but a few I think. Health insurance doesn’t pay but I don’t care if it works. Just be patient as it may take longer than you think.

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I am two years out (07/07/2020) and still have a tight band like what you get with a blood pressure cuff. I have now been diagnosed with internal infection. Been on antibiotics for three weeks and band is a lot lighter. My constant background pain is also gone.

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Wow! Infection diagnosis at 2 years. I’ve had a complete blood panel recently which was normal so not suspecting infection but anything is possible. Unfortunately I can’t take much in the way of antibiotics as I have had CDif so don’t want to risk getting it again. Plus could cause flare up of diverticulitis. Good luck to you!

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@jammyjan123

Im 6 weeks tomorrow TKR someone told me to but some cream to rub over the scar to help it geel more and fad, is that advisable. I don't see my consultant until 13th July I'm using moisturiser to help soften the skin. (I'm in the uk) my knee is still very tight and stiff at times. We appear to do thing different here I haven't seen my physio yes not until 7th July I was given exercises to do, quite basic.

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You’re only 6 wks post which is very early in the process! Check with ur Dr re putting cream over scar. I’m 14 mths post tkr & it always feels very tight but no pain. I’m not sure if this will ever go completely.
Good luck - give it time, do ur PT & home exercises.

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@didlick

You’re only 6 wks post which is very early in the process! Check with ur Dr re putting cream over scar. I’m 14 mths post tkr & it always feels very tight but no pain. I’m not sure if this will ever go completely.
Good luck - give it time, do ur PT & home exercises.

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Do the medical staff say why it remains tight? After my PKR 15 months ago the tightness seems in large part due to skin less elastic from below over and above the knee compared to the other leg. As if somehow some skin was removed.

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@nicelymanifest

Do the medical staff say why it remains tight? After my PKR 15 months ago the tightness seems in large part due to skin less elastic from below over and above the knee compared to the other leg. As if somehow some skin was removed.

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No, the Dr doesn’t actually point to the reason for tightness. I’m no dr. but I really don’t think it’s to do with what you mention re. the skin

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