I’m doing my best to keep everything “balanced” — including stretching left and right and doing strengthening exercises both sides. I’ve never had cortisone in my right knee and it’s not quite bone on bone (very thin layer of cartilage left). I see my surgeon for a check up in late August and that might be the time to try cortisone. Never did any good on the left but I understand that one’s knees don’t always behave/respond the same. I just want my left to be as strong and flexible as possible before doing the right!

What is cpm?

Hi @debbie64131 – CPM machine means "continuous passive motion" machine.
Here is another conversation about those:
Here is a little bit more information as well as another Connect conversation about CPM machines:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/cpm-continuous-passive-motion-2549555
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/?pg=24#comment-240588
I think the verdict is still out on use of those machines. I know that there are some clinical trials going on at Mayo but not sure the results are in. I've had two TKR's and didn't use one and I actually don't personally know anyone who has. But they may be great. Are you thinking of trying this kind of therapy?

I didn’t know what the initials meant but I do know of 3 others that used the machine & they had no issues of scar tissue. They had their machines right after surgery & then at home. I wish I would have had one. I think my scar tissue issues would not have been an issue for me.

It's really hard to know if it would have helped us with scar tissue, but I would have liked to made that decision for myself. My Dr would not send me home with one after surgery and then after manipulation I was firm that I wanted to try one and he would NOT send me home with one, said the data wasn't there to prove they help.

@debbraw I was given a CPM machine after my first TKR and found it more annoying than helpful so I sent it back early – it was a rental for a specified number of weeks.
After my second TKR there was no mention of one. I had different doctors for the two TKRs. Frankly, the second doctor is a much better doctor.
JK

I saw said he noticed that clients of his tha t had a CPM machine seemed to much better in general? I loved the machine and got on it daily for 8 weeks to "get my knee stretched out each day".

Sorry first portion of reply cut off. They brought a CPM machine to my home prior to surgery so I could learn the exercises prior to doing it with pain. The PT I saw said he noticed that clients of his that had a CPM machine post surgery did much better in general. I loved the machine and got on it daily for 8 weeks. It was helpful that my CPM machine came with an actual trainer that helped with suggestions, albeit mostly over the phone. I had no problem with scar tissue. Hope this is helpful

I fist posted in this therad back in March. First knee was done in Oct. 2018, second one in Dec. 2018. I still have the tight band feeling in my first knee. It doesn't hurt but is annoying. I have found nothing that helps. I work in the medical field and in fact work at a surgery center among the staff that did my knees. I have read through this entire thread and no where have I seen anything about nerve damage. I am thinking that is what happened to me. My doctor won't admit it, but what else could it be? I understand I am still in my first year of recovery, but not having this feeling in my second knee tells me this could be the answer since nothing helps. I find during work that I don't notice it, I am on my feet all day in a surgery center. Anyhow.. I just thought I would update my progress. Thanks ahead for any resposes.

@medinafive thank you for your update. I posted last spring too. My right knee was replaced Oct 2017, and I have had the tight band feeling from the beginning with no improvement, and no answers. Since the time I last posted, I have tried CBD oil (waste of money), any type of so-called pain relieving creams my friends wanted me to try (didn’t help), a chiropractor and massage therapist.

At least the chiropractor will talk to me about my experience, which is validating. At the orthopedic center, if I bring this subject up during a routine visit, all I hear is crickets, fumbling around and the subject quickly changed. I, too, am convinced this is some kind of nerve damage. My leg tissue below the “tight band” feels contracted like a charley horse and heavy. Yet palpitating the tissue, it is soft, not hard. So, what else would give a person the FEELING that there is a tourniquet around the area below the knee and a charley horse in the calf muscle: nerve damage.

Another friend talked to me about a successful procedure she has had at a pain clinic: nerve ablation. I haven’t gone for a consultation, but wondered if any of y’all have heard of or tried this treatment? And no, the chiropractor and massage therapy have not fixed this problem. They have given me a little temporary relief and i have learned a lot about physiology, and it has been empowering to be heard.

I have not given up the idea that one of us will find a solution to this issue one day. It seems like it will be up to us to find the answer. Let’s keep each other updated. Thanks!

Hi, and yes, I have heard of nerve ablation, it's also called Rhizotomy. We do those at my office. Always for the neck or back, and I have never seen my doctor do them on the knee area. It's a thought though.. I will ask him about it. I am sorry to hear you are having pain from it and a feeling of a charley horse. That's just awful. I don't have pain at all just the tightness. I will let you know what my doctor says and if he thinks it might be helpful.

Hi! I had nerve ablation in a procedure called "Coolief" 2 weeks ago for continuous pain following my partial knee replacement almost 2 years ago. i saw a pain management specialist who does the procedure. It took a bit to get insurance approval, but I have found it helpful. I didn't have the "tight band" feeling that you are experiencing, but did have enough pain that just walking into work was hard. (In fact, I was on a prescription anti-inflammatory medication for so long that I developed severe GI issues so now I can only take Tylenol or narcotic pain medication.

I'm not going to lie – the procedure was excruciating. My doctor thinks it is because the nerves are so close to the bone. The first few days were really rough. Luckily I had the procedure on a Friday so had the weekend to recover before needing to go to work. I spent the weekend in my recliner with my leg elevated and icing 15 minutes every hour. But now, 2 weeks later, while the pain is not completely gone – I am able to walk and stand without pain. The only time I feel anything is if I move "wrong". I'm walking almost 2 miles now without pain – but find that if I walk 2 days in a row it is a bit "much". Yesterday I was able to do the elliptical at the gym for a half hour – something I haven't been able to do in over 2 years!!

Good luck! I hope you find some relief.