Hi all tkr's I may have read about this topic in another thread but cannot find it. Can anyone tell me when the steel band around the knee feeling goes? I'm finding it really uncomfortable now as I head in the direction of 6 weeks post op. Thanks.
Leslie am just at end of week 9 and still have what I describe as a tight elastic band around my knee. It is definitely easing now but if I overdo it its the first thing that happens. Ice helps me and rest. I had it much more frequently a few weeks ago so I'm hoping for both of us that it will fade compleatly over time
It goes gradually over the first few months, slowly, then you just realise it isn't there anymore.
Hi Lesley. I am 12 weeks post op TKR and I still get that feeling when I over do it - it is my signal to sit down, elevate and ice. It doesn't take much in the early stages of recovery (which 12 weeks is considered) to irritate the knee and cause swelling inside. Listen to your body. Good luck with your continued recovery!
I am almost 5 months and mine is gone. It just gradually got less and then disappeared. Knee still has some stiffness, no pain upon waking but by end of day it gets achy, but I have a bad hip on same side so my recovery has been slower. It is getting there. My biggest issue is still my stamina.
It will vary of course with every person. it took ages and ages for me. . probaby four or five months. . . . . hope it's quicker for you
I'd like to know the answer myself. I'm 5 wks, and my knee is feeling tighter than day before. Even had deep scar tissue massage. Maybe bc weather getting cold.?
Peggy Iam with you, I want my stamina back.
ive had all the other things, and still have some of them, but this lack of strength in my legs, and no stamina is just making it even harder.
I'm 7 months post op and I am sorry to say but the steel band hasn't completely disappeared- it comes back now and again.to tell u the truth it's all a bit of a nightmare- what is ur new knee made out of?
Mines cobalt chrome - sometimes it feels heavy-like I've got my boots on!!
I'm 11 weeks out and realized this week I don't have thay feeling anymore. You'll get there!
I'm almost 4 weeks now and although I'm managing the pain (ish!) my leg is still swollen making it very heavy! Wondering when that goes!
It's my biggest problem now. After grocery shopping In a big store, I can't do much for 2 or 3 days. It used to be a week, so guess it's improving but still makes me hate going, knowing I won't be able to do much else for days. I did stairs for the first time at my daughter's last weekend. That was awkward, but I did it! We live in a single story, thankfully. I still get some pain and a mechanical feeling when I walk, but big improvement in last 2,weeks or so. Slightly over 4 months when I noticed improvement.
The only thing that loosens mine is exercise. I have never been into fitness and hate exercise, so wish I knew another answer. Walking seems to make it worse, but if I get on my Exercise bike, even if the knee is tight and hurts, biking for even 10 minutes loosens it up. I also do stretches with the bands. They actually feel good so don't mind doing them. Those and the bike are my "go to" exercises. One my therapist showed me is laying on your stomach on the bed with your knee and legs hanging off for 5 minutes. I do it daily, it stretches backs of legs and feels good
I am 10 1/2 weeks post-op of my bilateral TKR. I describe the feeling as having 2 tire tubes around the upper part of my knees which from time to time gets inflated. The knee pain is mostly gone (still some discomfort when getting up on my feet from sitting if lying down) but I hate the swelling. I have been finding lately that if I massage the muscles I get some relief. It is almost like there is a knot of muscle which hurts at first but as I massage it it starts to feel better. I am hoping this tightness goes away soon as it is irritating
Its another of those things that's as different as fingerprints between people. As the quads strengthen the IT band eases up. You just have to keep up the slow but steady work and icing. At some point downline, they might wish to use hydrotherapy or even a muscle relaxant to help. Over the years and 5 complete rehabs, I had only one early escape. The remainder of of the rehabs I as anywhere from 3 months up. Now, after my 11th surgery I am still fighting it for over a year. But then again, my soft tissue is so butchered because of the rare tumor that I hold little hope it will ever go away. Keep in mind, I have a 1 in 2 million person condition.
Oh..ok..thankyou for your reply.
Its amazing the amount of muscles surrounding our knee! I'm a firm believer in myofascial tissue massage commonly known as trigger point therapy. I have been working on tight lumps of muscle in my thigh...breaking down the lumps which consequently eases tightness in places surrounding the knee. Most muscles take fright at an injury and tighten up....massaging releases them and allows increase in circulation that has been restricted by contracted tissue. A very interesting subject which I have found helps.
Thanks Cathy
Wonderful! I can hardly wait for that moment
Thankyou Dee. Hope you on your way to a fast recovery.