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IT band syndrome after knee replacement

Posted by Faith M @collielady, Jul 26, 2018

I had both knees replaces last month. Right on 6/4 and left on 6/13. The right knee has done great. But the left has had issues. This week both PT and the surgeon's nurse said I have IT band syndrome. PT put a strip of K-tape down the side of my leg and suggests ice massage to the area. And the nurse showed me a stretching exercise to do. I am wondering if others have had this problem and how it was handled and how long it took to get better. The pain behind my knee prevents me from raising my leg while walking.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 29, 2022
In reply to @ladybug4joints "Yes Had IT associated pain after left total knee surgery in May. It may have been..." + (show)
@ladybug4joints

Yes
Had IT associated pain after left total knee surgery in May. It may have been related to preop Valgus deformity.
I am now 6 months postop left knee and the pain resolved at 3-4 months postop with PT and time

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So glad to hear this. I hope you're feeling better post-op than pre-op!

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ggarrepy | @ggarrepy | Nov 29, 2022
In reply to @gh120 "What my Dr. said is he doesn't like people to use the Ice Machines. That if..." + (show)
@gh120

What my Dr. said is he doesn't like people to use the Ice Machines. That if you are going to use Ice to only use it for a short time. Said he found that people that use the Ice Machines tend to over use them and that is what prolongs the healing. I am just passing on what he told me. Don't shoot the messenger.

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I think it is a balance between keeping it cool enough to minimize pain swelling and inflammation and maintaining good blood flow. Healing is about blood flow to the area so it’s a dance for sure.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 30, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "@gh120 @heyjoe415, I do think each surgeon may have their own recommendations for a good recovery...." + (show)
@johnbishop

@gh120 @heyjoe415, I do think each surgeon may have their own recommendations for a good recovery. I also had always heard that icing is needed to reduce the swelling along with elevating the leg. I've had more than one Mayo surgeon emphasize that point with me. It definitely helped reduce the swelling with my TKR.

From the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
" Swelling
You may have moderate to severe swelling in the first few days or weeks after surgery. You may have mild to moderate swelling for about 3 to 6 months after surgery.

To reduce swelling, elevate your leg slightly and apply ice. Wearing compression stockings may also help reduce swelling. Notify your doctor if you experience new or severe swelling, since this may be the warning sign of a blood clot."
-- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/activities-after-knee-replacement

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Thanks John,

I had both knees replaced this year. The first went extremely well. ROM was 130, extension was zero, and all swelling gone by one month.

Second one went well too (both with the Mako assistant). But the swelling took longer to go away completely, like three months. And when I exercised, it would swell slightly and so I iced and elevated. That worked and now swelling is gone and hasn't reappeared. No two knees/surgeries are alike.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 30, 2022
In reply to @ladybug4joints "Yes Had IT associated pain after left total knee surgery in May. It may have been..." + (show)
@ladybug4joints

Yes
Had IT associated pain after left total knee surgery in May. It may have been related to preop Valgus deformity.
I am now 6 months postop left knee and the pain resolved at 3-4 months postop with PT and time

Jump to this post

Good for you ladybug. Perseverance pays off! Joe

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suecutuli | @suecutuli | Dec 17, 2022

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??

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5 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 17, 2022
In reply to @suecutuli "I have been in enormous pain. I could not walk wo suffering. It came on suddenly..." + (show)
@suecutuli

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??

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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/

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Dec 18, 2022
In reply to @suecutuli "I have been in enormous pain. I could not walk wo suffering. It came on suddenly..." + (show)
@suecutuli

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??

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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.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 18, 2022
In reply to @suecutuli "I have been in enormous pain. I could not walk wo suffering. It came on suddenly..." + (show)
@suecutuli

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??

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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

REPLY
marye2 | @marye2 | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @suecutuli "I have been in enormous pain. I could not walk wo suffering. It came on suddenly..." + (show)
@suecutuli

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??

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @suecutuli "I have been in enormous pain. I could not walk wo suffering. It came on suddenly..." + (show)
@suecutuli

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??

Jump to this post

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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