I have had the nerve ablation treatment, it worked for me, no more severe pain, pins and needles, heavy tightness. You are right about it being nerve damage, that’s exactly what my treating physician diagnosed the problem as. Diagnosed with CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Good luck getting treatment.

@medinafive , @lizzyisme , and @kibe75 thank you for your responses. I am intrigued about this ablation process and hope that Medicare will cover this.

It's been 7 years since I had both knees replaced and they still have that tight band feeling. I have tried everything been to multiple doctors and no help. I feel like it might have moved a little lower in both knees but I still have that same 24/7 feeling. No pain just that tightness and it isn't range of motion. I had 4 MUA's between both knees and I sometime think it is that which caused it. I've been doing cupping (with therapist at first) and to me the fascia attaching to muscle seems to make the most sense. I'm tired of people saying they don't know what is causing that. My twin sister had knee replaced and a month later she had no problems at all. I had 3 months PR with each knee then a personal trainer for about 3 months and did water aerobics for 1 1/2 years and nothing changed. If someone else gets any answers, I'm interested in hearing them.

I'm seven years and still have that feeling both knees were done in 2012 3 months apart.

Yes, I had it with my right knee TKR. It lasted for about 3 weeks, I think. My recent left knee didnt get it nearly as bad. It was awful!

Hi @slmichie1969 i am so sad that you have experienced this weird tight band feeling for 7 years in both knees. I have had it for over 2 and tried nearly everything you have to no avail. On my one year check up, my OD told me I would just have to live with this, and that he did not know what caused it. I have good ROM and my knee serves me well. You can read my prior posts.

I came to this site looking for answers, but found a very few other sufferers who have had this side effect (longer than a few months post surgery) with no answers and no relief too. You have dealt with this longer than any of the past posters on this queston.

Trying to get my head to accept and to adjust to this seemingly permanent side effect appears to be my biggest challenge. I dont take anything stronger than a tylenol, so trying to rise above chronic pain is a challenge. Staying busy helps me. I check this site from time to time for a miracle cure. If i stumble across something that helps me, will share it with you all.

I had same and it seems it is excess scar tissue I had it removed Through arthroscopic surgeryand it grew back and now it feels even worse because the pain is now become a problem of hamstring which compensated for the lack of motion it’s a mess still working on it work in progress

The tightness hasn't kept me from doing anything. Last year when we went to Israel and went to Petra one day I had 24,000 steps by the end of the day. I just don't like it not feeling normal. No pain like I said but it feels like the skin is kind of stuck. I'm going to keep up the cupping on myself and try to do it twice a day.

@slmichie1969 it is the same for me. Great ROM and I can walk all I want. The longer I stand or walk, the more intense the tight feeling. It just doesn’t feel normal and that can be very distracting and annoying.

The more I read on this site, it is apparent that complications from major surgeries can be quite varied and some very serious. I guess this particular thing we have is not serious as we have a knee that works well. It has just taken me awhile to come to terms with it. Please keep us informed about the cupping. I sure hope you have good results.

Hello. I had a total left knee replacement May 2018. I had a very profound tight band feeling for a long time which would fluctuate in intensity from day to day and caused difficulty with PT. Big improvement after 4 or 5 months but reoccurred very badly at 8th month while on trip to Europe. Increased mobic dose during the 10 days of trip and pushed through it and the tightness/pain was gone after increasing the anti-inflammatory. By the time I returned from trip the tightness and pain was gone—almost seemed like I had to break the inflammatory cycle and keep MOVING. My surgeon said that complete healing takes 1 full year and 13 months out the knee is perfect and playing golf etc. Keep the faith.

I had a right total knee replacement two years ago and had this surgery due to severe pain. My surgeon thought I was a good candidate as I am younger (50) and very active. The surgery went well and the mechanics of the prosthesis are good. Therapy was rough and continued with severe pain long past the normal. I continue to have the rubber band sensation (as others have described) for two years now and currently on Lyria (like Gabapentin) for a month trial to see if I get any relief. I also had a steroid injection in the outside part of the knee. I have done everything possible including dry needling and nerve ablation (both made no difference). My surgeon thinks that my joint has some hypermobility issues causing the irritation on the outside of the knee to the iliotibial band. He is recommending a replacement of the tibial part (the lower bone) with a thicker component, which making the joint less mobile. I would lose some motion but I have around 120 degrees of bend. Has anyone heard of this as a option? The thought of doing another knee replacement (even if a partial) is overwhelming to me.

I'd like to hear more on the cupping and if it has helped you.