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Outer thigh tightness

Posted by stknee @stknee, Nov 19, 2023

Hello

It’s been 12 days since I had my right knee replaced. My concern is the tightness in my outer thigh about mid way up. Starts about 4 inches above the knee and continues up another 6” or so.

I have tried very hard to make my knee bend. I go to therapy also. It would bend about 88% being forced six days ago and it’s still about 88% today. I searched as much as I could and I think people referred to it is the IT band. I am not certain.

I return to my doctor Wednesday. I have the blues right now and start worrying that something is terribly wrong. I just wonder if anybody else has experienced this. I have pushed it so far at times and it feels like if I went any further something in the side of my thigh would snap.

If it wasn’t for this, overall am in very little pain. My knee on a scale of 0-10 is about a 1 or 2. I keep telling myself if it wasn’t for the stupid thigh I would be great.

I’m sure you’ve heard this before. I just want a little peace of mind before I see the doctor in three days. I’m wondering if I’m doing more harm by pushing it, but I don’t want it to be chronic.

Thanks for your help

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hsminc | @hsminc | Nov 20, 2023

I had this same problem after my first knee replacement. Actually, I had some serious excruciating pain in the first couple of days after the surgery. It was from this IT band.
It eventually went away -- I can't remember how long it took - that was in 2015 - but I have had no issues for years.
Most of the problem as I look back was my fear that it would never go away. I was extremely anxious about having the surgery in the first place and only had it when my knee hurt so badly that I could not walk 50 feet without screaming.
That said, 8 years later, that knee, my other knee, my hip and my shoulder feel better than the originals.
Hang in there. I am betting this problem will resolve - my probability guess is 100 percent that it will resolve.
I had no physical therapy. I was just told to walk -- and that is what I did.
Best wishes! Relax! It will resolve!

REPLY
1 reply
evon | @evon | Nov 21, 2023

I too have had some issues with IT band post surgery in Jan 2023. It has gotten much better but occasionally acts up. I find just doing a good massage in that side of my leg really helps. If it’s flaring up I do about a 3 minute massage with a good quality oil 2x day and that seems to both relieve and resolve. It will get better. You’re very early in the game. Be patient (easier said than done). It takes time. My Jan replacement was finally feeling recovered by about September, then I had the second TKR 6 weeks ago 🤦🏼. Having to learn about patience all over again, though IT band doesn’t seem to be an issue with this one.

REPLY
stknee | @stknee | Nov 22, 2023
In reply to @hsminc "I had this same problem after my first knee replacement. Actually, I had some serious excruciating..." + (show)
@hsminc

I had this same problem after my first knee replacement. Actually, I had some serious excruciating pain in the first couple of days after the surgery. It was from this IT band.
It eventually went away -- I can't remember how long it took - that was in 2015 - but I have had no issues for years.
Most of the problem as I look back was my fear that it would never go away. I was extremely anxious about having the surgery in the first place and only had it when my knee hurt so badly that I could not walk 50 feet without screaming.
That said, 8 years later, that knee, my other knee, my hip and my shoulder feel better than the originals.
Hang in there. I am betting this problem will resolve - my probability guess is 100 percent that it will resolve.
I had no physical therapy. I was just told to walk -- and that is what I did.
Best wishes! Relax! It will resolve!

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Thanks for the reply. Your concerns were my concerns.
It’s been 15 days now. I’m well over 90% now. 96% on Monday. Even better today on Wednesday.

REPLY
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