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IT band syndrome after knee replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Oct 28 1:00pm | Replies (171)Comment receiving replies
I have been in enormous pain. I could not walk wo suffering. It came on suddenly and affected both my knee and my hip/groin area of my GOOD side!
I have chronic pain on my right side from a badly broken Femur 15 years ago. I also had my knee replaced one year ago on my right side. So having my left side fail had me catastrophing that I needed other other surgeries! ( no!!!) anyway I saw my Orthopedic for my one year anniversary of knee replacement and all my joints on both sides look good. He said I have IT band syndrome and that is what is causing my pain. I have complained over and over to all my Dr and therapists that my IT band is always tender only to be dismissed. Now it has totally depilated me and I need help. He did give me some PT but have not gotten In yet. Do any of you have suggestions that have helped? I know the IT band is so strong it’s very hard to affect it. Any help??
Replies to "I have been in enormous pain. I could not walk wo suffering. It came on suddenly..."
Check out some of the stretching references Colleen sent. The IT band can be stretched. If it tight, it will take time and patience. It helps to understand the underlying physiology of the band and why it hurts where it hurts (always on the very outside of the affected knee/leg.
When I had my initial hip replacements (16 years ago) my IT bands were so tight I could hardly walk. It took 2 years of diligent daily stretches to get them flexible enough to be pain free. I was still working and travelling, and just made it a daily habit while talking on the phone. After a second round of hip replacements 11 years ago, I was unable to do the stretches during recovery, so it took 6 months of daily pool work to get back. To this day, I do IT band, quad and hip stretches 3x weekly to stay flexible.
It's not impossible - just requires a 2-5 minute commitment every day
Sue
This is going to sound odd, but I changed my shoes. My IT band hurt, but xrays and EMGs showed normal. I've been icing/heating, lidocaine patching, steroid shots, compression socks, KT taping over five years. Even got orthotics and New Balance shoes. Edema massage (toes to torso) and The Stick massage seemed to help with the RLS piece of this. Just thought I would explore new shoes, and pretty great response so far. With as much surgery and injuries, this may have changed your "pronation." I also find Dr Jo is good; but your own PT might be more thorough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8wbFjIMFL4
It band I still continue my exercises and therapy on this area…..I have done mfr , cold laser and stem , and graston technique…they help loosen it up but the exercises keep it moving….I am fortunate to be able to go to pool twice a week exercising in pool very helpful….it’s exhausting at times all this therapy lol ….but take from me all the work pays off ….good luck hope you get relief
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@suecutuli, welcome. I moved your message to this discussion about IT band issues in the Joint Replacements group:
- IT band syndrome after knee replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/it-band-syndrome-after-knee-replacement/
I did this so you can read past helpful posts and connect with other members like @collielady @tanner82 @ggarrepy @heyjoe415 and others.
You and other members might appreciate this related discussion too:
- IT Band: Can you recommend the best stretches to use? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/it-band/