I have the exact same feeling you describe. I am almost 4 months post surgery. ROM has always been good, and have some pain now and then, but not too bad. I walk over two miles a day, but this tight band feeling is very disappointing. My surgeon avoids answering me. I am starting to come to terms with the real possibility this never goes away.

I honestly don’t think the surgeons know what causes that tight band feeling. My right knee was done almost two years ago and I still have that feeling. Pretty sure it’s never going away. 😟

I just had a TKR 5 weeks ago today. And I had to get a manipulation this week knee was not bending the band was always tightening down to my foot is numb. I expected the searing burning pain as the doctor had to cut dead tissue in the bone out and the osteoarthritis caused the bone to be so large, and the cartilage was gone. I had 47 years of pain in this knee but never numbness in my foot. The doctor also inserted stabilizing rods in my bones. So yes I am going through a lot of pain…. just did not expect the numbness in my foot. They did another band but it’s nothing like the first one I couldn’t bend my leg at all with the first one lots of swelling of course. I have had 4 children in my life and few more other surgeries… but nothing like this. I will be glad when I can feel my foot again.

It has been just over a year and my knees are still stiff barely reaching 90 degree of flexion. I can’t sleep more than 2-3 hours at a time and my state of mind very bad. I feel as though I will never be the same and not sure I can live like this.

I had my left TKR Oct 2018 I had super tight band feeling , almost like it was bands made of thin sharp sheet metal, [ only way i can explain it ] Doctor always told me it was scar tissue and to keep working , which I did. with no changes. A scar tissue therapist after 3 visits told me there was no unusual scar tissue and I was dealing with nerve damage or nerve entrapment . Out of desperation I had some nerves cut around knee, pain before it was 10 this got it to 9. With no answers I had a revision done 7 mons . ago, My ROM is excellent but the pain remained. So now in jan. I will be having nerve stimulators implanted in my quad with hopes it blocks pain. I should say back in 2019, 8 mons. after 1st TKR I had to have right knee replaced, This one other than tightness right above knee is great and livable. tightness right above knee is a common place. Don't stop moving other wise stiffness wins. I figure there has to be an answer out there. KEEP THE FAITH & KEEP SEARCHING PEACE

Hello @buickturboman, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear you are still having stiffness along with pain and unable to sleep well after your knee replacement. If I understand correctly you had a knee replacement done on both knees. There are some other discussions you might find helpful where other members have similar symptoms.

– Chronic,debilitating pain after knee replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronicdebilitating-pain-after-knee-replacement/
– Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/swelling-and-stiffness-3-years-after-total-knee-replacement/
– TKR revision surgery and problems: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tkr-revision-surgery-problems/

Does your doctor or surgeon have any suggestions or have you discussed the continued stiffness and pain with them?

Yes! Thank you for someone else having my problem. Surgeon looks at me like I'm,an,alien. I'm 7 months post ok and still having tight band feeling, and I think it hinders my,bending.

Many people have this problem after TKR. My right knee has a VERY tight band feeling almost 2 years post op. The left one has it, too, but not nearly as bad as the right one and it’s been almost 8 months. My surgeon just shrugs his shoulders and says it’s always going to feel somewhat tight. Neither knee hurts and both are stable and functional so I’m trying to learn to ignore that tight band feeling. Hasn’t worked yet though…😟

CLBS i agree with what you say about doctors just shruging shoulders , there seems to be so much more to TKR that the patients are not told . and unless you are going thru it no one really listens. hang in there & keep moving

Totally agree. I’m 5 months post TKR and trying to live with tight band ….since day one. Surgeon has little interest in what I say.

Is it your IT Band that is tight?

No, it is like a 4 inch wide taut resistance band around the entire knee. I have good ROM, but very annoying.

I have problems with my right IT Band after my TKR. Nothing has helped. One day I can go up 20 stairs and the next a few. I still can't go down any stairs even an inch high.

Sorry you are having problems.

Thanks,
Terri

I have the same thing. I describe it as equal to the tourniquet used when they draw blood. I did go to a PT that has at least heard about this symptom. She performed myofascial release for 6 months twice a week. It would feel better when I left but then it would tighten up again after a couple hours. I wish there was a doctor on here that could at least provide some type of explanation.

I’m 4 months post TKR a right one…I had a tight band immediately after all around my ankle,and toes…no change ever. Also Tight from ankle up the front on leg to knee which I guess is normal. Just had tests which conclude not nerve damage from knee. MRI next week on my back. Rather depressing.Not easy for others to comprehend, but constant discomfort.