Has anyone had a tight band feeling after total knee replacement?

Being in the water only relieves discomfort while I'm in the water. I also did a lot of water therapy post op for my first knee as flexion was an issue…again, I could bend the knee much easier in the water, but it made no difference when out of the water. I am seeing a neurologist later this month. I'm taking Gabapentin which may be helping slightly. I find I can't take it twice a day as it makes me too sleepy during the day.

Hi @grammygolfs – Sorry that you don't get much relief from water. Is the neurologist visit related to the level of pain you are having with these TKA's?

I have a similar feeling of a band around my thigh just above my TKR. It comes and goes in intensity and I must admit it's the least of my TKR problems! Am on my 4th TKR of L knee and it's been 2 years since my last TKR, If I had know how resistant my body would be to a prosthetic implant, I would have tried to find a way to fix my fractured tibia! These knee replacements have been nothing but problems for me and when this one fails I will likely lose my leg. But I have friends who had 1 or both knees done without a bit of trouble.

My thigh and knee are swollen due to a mild infection. I am taking Keflex in the hopes it will keep the infection at bay. Best wishes for you!

Hi I had a second surgery on May 21, 2019 my surgeon said I had a bad case of scar tissue like none he has ever seen before. He removed the scar tissue, put a smaller cushion and a different metal rod. I can feel some difference, I don't have the tight rubber band feeling nor the feeling that something is sticking me in my leg. I am doing home therapy right now, she says the scar tissue is growing fast and massages it and tells me to do so as well. My ROM is only 95 i'm working hard to get pass 100 as she said the scar tissue along with the swelling is keeping me from bending like I should. It's hard but i'm not going to give up.

Hi. I had my first TKR on left knee on April 16. I had a lot of swelling which inhibited flexion (still have some swelling—in the knee capsule, per PT). I had very poor flexion prior to surgery (if I was sitting in a straight chair with feet flat, any movement passed 90 caused severe pain at the back of the knee). I have that tight band feeling but faithfully follow stretching and exercise regimen in PT and at home. I can now bend to 95 to 100 unassisted and best was 112 assisted. When I saw surgeon on May 24 I was at 70 unassisted. He told me that after the surgery he was able to bend the knee to 130 with no problem. He suggested I schedule for MUA on June 18, see him on June 17 for X-rays and assessment. I think I am more frightened of an MUA than I was of surgery. I knew unequivocally that I needed a TKR, but I feel a decision about an MUA is more of a blind leap. Are there any out there with experience of MUA?

Hi @jellycats – Welcome to Connect! There are a number of people here who have either had MUA's or had to make a decision one way or the other. I've had two TKRs – the latest one this past January and thankfully didn't have the issue of scar tissue. Here is a link that might have some information to help in your decision:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/?pg=48#chv4-comment-stream-header
Also, I'm going to tag some others who may have insight on this to share: @gutthookd @gator1965 @contentandwell and @dduke
Meantime, I'm wondering if you have tried hydrotherapy or acupuncture? Both were helpful to me in getting a better ROM. You are just about 8 weeks post-op so I'm sure there is still plenty of room for improvement. Will you keep us posted on your decision?

Thank you! I will check out the link on MUA now. I am very fortunate that I have a resistance pool installed off of our master bath. The surgeon gave me the go ahead to swim on May 24, and since then I am in the water 1 or 2 times very day. I am able to do almost all land exercises/stretching in the water. I do think this has helped considerably with improving ROM and gaining strength in quad. Plus water is good for the mind and it feels good to do something for my upper body! I have not tried acupuncture, but am willing to explore this. Right now, I am using Tramadol prior to PT and on occasion at home to help with pain associated with stretching, heel slides, etc.

@jellycats @debbraw I thought about having lysis to help with my flex, it's only at about 115 – 118, but I have chosen to not proceed. It seems as if you can go through that and not gain anything so I will just try to be content with what I have.

My surgeon never mentioned MUA so I guess he does not feel my problem is bad enough to warrant it. I think what you decide depends on how bad your flex is, and how much that bothers you. With my 115 I can pretty do most of what I want to do.
I am not very familiar with this particular site, but this article seems to have good info regarding MUA.
https://www.peerwell.co/blog/2017/10/19/manipulation-under-anesthesia-mua-after-knee-replacement-surgery/
JK

Because I inquired about MUA, thought I would post a follow-up. Left TKR was on April 16. On May 24 ROM was 70 and surgeon thought a MUA might be needed. I saw my surgeon on 6/17 for x-rays and evaluation, and he was excited that in three weeks I had gone from 70 degrees without assistance to 100-105 degrees without assistance–and he saw no reason for MUA. He told me that before the surgery he measured me at 105 (no shock there–I've had terrible ROM due to pain for a number of years) and 130 after the surgery. He was confident that I will continue to gain more ROM over time. I'd like to get to 110-115–that's my goal. I see surgeon again in two months, and he gave me the go-ahead to see a massage therapist for myofascial massage and to resume my weekly sessions with my Pilates instructor (who works with lots of knee/hip patients). I'm reducing my PT visits from 3x each week to 2x, and continuing to swim/do water exercises daily and do my dry land exercises at home. I have the tight band feeling sometimes, sometimes I feel a tight and tender spot right behind the knee when I walk–seems like recovery for many weeks/months after a TKR includes varying types/degrees of pain/discomfort. Trying to take each day as it comes. Of course the right knee is "barking" more–especially on steps, when I do mini-squats, etc. It has to hang in there until I get the left one sorted out!