Tight band around knee even after 10 years of TKR

Posted by tejpal @tejpal, Nov 16, 2023

It has been more than 10 years of TKR and although I have full movement of the joint but their is a very tight band around the knee and it feels like I have a 10 Lbs weight on the leg. My surgeon says that resurfacing patella will help but there is no pain in the patella. It is adviable for a 84 years old to go for it or there is no benefit. Any comments and suggestions.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

tejpal, age wouldn't deter me, but are you sure resurfacing the patella would effect a fix. Do you have a physical therapist? It sounds like IT band tightness. A few more medical opinions might clarify. A PT could test the IT.

REPLY
@gently

tejpal, age wouldn't deter me, but are you sure resurfacing the patella would effect a fix. Do you have a physical therapist? It sounds like IT band tightness. A few more medical opinions might clarify. A PT could test the IT.

Jump to this post

The orthopedic surgeon who did the Knee replacement showed me the xray where the underside of the patell was rough- and he says that resurfacing should help. I had been to PT for evaluation and they think it is the scr tissue problem and not IT band. I have no pain except that the leg feels heavy and which could also be due to nerve damage during operation. I will the surgeon again and ask him if he is sure that resurfacing patella would bring enough improvement in the knee and leg.

REPLY

Is the scar tissue caused by the rough patella underside. Would the surgeon address the scar tissue or would the surgery just cause more scarring. I avoid general anesthesia whenever possible, though it is easier just to sleep through procedures.

REPLY
@gently

Is the scar tissue caused by the rough patella underside. Would the surgeon address the scar tissue or would the surgery just cause more scarring. I avoid general anesthesia whenever possible, though it is easier just to sleep through procedures.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the suggestion; I will ask the surgeon in my next appointment before surgery and in Calgary it is the epidural anesthesia injection for this procedure including even TKR.

REPLY

It's just that the tightness from scar tissue is common after TKR. Arthroscopy is often done to remove tissue. It seems like you have a very good surgeon. I expect you'll have excellent results. Best wishes.

REPLY

Thanks and I will ask the surgeon if even after 10 years scar issue can be removed by arthrosocpy but as we have free medical care in Canada, I wonder whether he will be willing to do this if not adequately compensated financially.

REPLY

So Canadian doctors will do more than the government covers if you pay them extra. It should be part of the same procedure. I can't imagine that the age of the scar tissue would be prohibitive. But I do hope you have good luck and no extra charges.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.