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

Hi sorry to hear your still having issues…. I am almost year out and I am going for revision on the 28…..I had difficulty getting flexion and keeping it ….. I had mua at 6 weeks with no results …. My dr blamed me not working hard enough blamed arthritis even my migraines which have been under control…..needless to say I got second opinion hence revision being done my knee slightly to big reason I could not get flexion….I do mfr since 3 months out of tkr it has helped so much for tightness and enabled to straighten my leg almost fully ….. I am so disappointed in my original tkr dr…..with that said never hurts to seek second opinion ….I hope you start feeling relief

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Many thanks. And well done for 2nd opinion. Some doctor self confidence can be misaligned with their actual understanding.

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Knee replacement....4 years later, went to dentist in the state we had just moved to. Told him I forgot my antibiotic and he said it was fine. So he did a root canal that day. About 3 weeks later my knee started bothering me, swelling, hot, painful. Finally went to the ER. They sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who advised that the infection required a complete removal of the knee followed by weeks on antibiotics to make sure the infection was completel and then a new knee would be put in. Went through the whole procedure; however...this doctor was moving away from the area and didn't check to make sure infection was gone. Had healing problems of incision, pain, swelling, hot.....same symptoms as before and kept getting worse. Finally was able to get into the U of F, and had a wonderful doctor who explained everything and said he would do his best to help me. One factor, if it didn't work or another infection, there would be nothing more they could do other than amputate. The surgeon stated it was a mess and took hours to clean out all the cement laying around in my leg, plus the previous surgeon used so much cement, they had to break my leg in order to get the replacement out. Antibiotic treatment again for 6 weeks, then revision surgery again. It was a success, but a year post...I'm having the same problems....swelling, pain, red, hot. They are currently checking for infection again. The outcome will be either leave the infection and deal with the pain or amputate if they find an infection. Doctor stated, "It is obvious you had less than substantial care." But he would not put it in writing as he said he wasn't there to see why things were done the way they were. Talked to an attorney....must have someone support that the surgeon who screwed up provided less than substantial care. So now it's a waiting game.

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Going to PT. They recommended a knee bandage to help with swelling and support. Any suggestions on one that worked for you?

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@burkeyml50

Knee replacement....4 years later, went to dentist in the state we had just moved to. Told him I forgot my antibiotic and he said it was fine. So he did a root canal that day. About 3 weeks later my knee started bothering me, swelling, hot, painful. Finally went to the ER. They sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who advised that the infection required a complete removal of the knee followed by weeks on antibiotics to make sure the infection was completel and then a new knee would be put in. Went through the whole procedure; however...this doctor was moving away from the area and didn't check to make sure infection was gone. Had healing problems of incision, pain, swelling, hot.....same symptoms as before and kept getting worse. Finally was able to get into the U of F, and had a wonderful doctor who explained everything and said he would do his best to help me. One factor, if it didn't work or another infection, there would be nothing more they could do other than amputate. The surgeon stated it was a mess and took hours to clean out all the cement laying around in my leg, plus the previous surgeon used so much cement, they had to break my leg in order to get the replacement out. Antibiotic treatment again for 6 weeks, then revision surgery again. It was a success, but a year post...I'm having the same problems....swelling, pain, red, hot. They are currently checking for infection again. The outcome will be either leave the infection and deal with the pain or amputate if they find an infection. Doctor stated, "It is obvious you had less than substantial care." But he would not put it in writing as he said he wasn't there to see why things were done the way they were. Talked to an attorney....must have someone support that the surgeon who screwed up provided less than substantial care. So now it's a waiting game.

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This is beyond grim. You have my sympathy. You seem to stay sane - that alone is impressive. I wish you well.

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Hi, I'm also 8 weeks TKR and my knee is still very tight, sometimes I cannot bend it when walking, I'm in the UK and I do my exercises, elevate, ice. But so far only had one physio. It's not nice and can be painful when it becomes really tight.

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@nicelymanifest

This is beyond grim. You have my sympathy. You seem to stay sane - that alone is impressive. I wish you well.

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Thank you for your kind words. Still waiting on test results. Fingers crossed.

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@nicelymanifest

This is beyond grim. You have my sympathy. You seem to stay sane - that alone is impressive. I wish you well.

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I'd say consider going to Hospital for Special Surgery in NY, one of the top orthopedic hospitals in the country. Had spinal fusion there 12 yrs ago with no problems.

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@jammyjan123

Hi, I'm also 8 weeks TKR and my knee is still very tight, sometimes I cannot bend it when walking, I'm in the UK and I do my exercises, elevate, ice. But so far only had one physio. It's not nice and can be painful when it becomes really tight.

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I'm only 11 days out from TKR and I know that feeling. I have gone to PT 3 times thus far and it really is helpful. You MUST do exercises for that knee. Did they show you any to do? Some I do are heel slides, leg lifts, gentle squats, etc. I would go on-line if you aren't going to PT and find some beginning exercises. There are some out there with good pictures. Good luck.

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@karmakat1

I'm only 11 days out from TKR and I know that feeling. I have gone to PT 3 times thus far and it really is helpful. You MUST do exercises for that knee. Did they show you any to do? Some I do are heel slides, leg lifts, gentle squats, etc. I would go on-line if you aren't going to PT and find some beginning exercises. There are some out there with good pictures. Good luck.

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I’m 15 mths post tkr & still have the very tight feeling round the knee but no pain. I continue to walk, aqua aerobics etc as much as I can & hope it will feel better as time goes on.

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Did your doctor say when it will go?

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