MUA A Year and Still Tightness

[Jockette]

Yes, it was different tape. Since this one bothered me I bought another different one, for sensitive skin, and it didn’t stick very well.

That’s great that you can stand longer while using the long arm! I was excited when I could stand longer to do the prep work for my sewing, and then get up and down from sitting at my machine easier.

 

[eaflorida]

I am discouraged. I am 4.5 months out from my TKR and 2.5 months from MUA. Although my tight band and muscles have eased a great deal, I am still experiencing pain on the sides and directly above my knee. My OS said that he considers my recovery started at the time of my MUA so, technically, I am only 2.5 months in this journey. I have to say, my patience is truly being tested. In the morning, my knee feels pretty good but as the day progresses the pain level increases. I am using Tubigrip or an Ace Bandage in order to perform my ADL's. I planned my surgery so that I would be recovered in time to help the baby (due mid-March) and her Mommy. I am so worried that my stamina will hinder me helping on a daily basis until the baby's Mommy recovers. I am in need of suggestions and encouragement. Thank you.

Wow. Your situation is almost exactly like mine. I am also 4+ months out from TKR & about 90 days out from my MUA. I too am experiencing the same pain issues that you are. At this point, my ROM is only 79. And, my surgeon wanted to do a 2nd manipulation not even a full month after the first MUA. I said no to my surgeon and dumped her as my Dr. I too NEVER ever expected that my TKR would still be giving me the gift that keeps on giving. I just hope and pray that one day this hellish recovery will be over and I can have my right knee back. What complicates my situation, is that I also need to have my left knee replaced. I may just live with left knee pain, as I do not want to experience this hell again. Good luck to you!

 

[4quilts]

@eaflorida I am now 18 months from my right knee replacement. My ROM and flexion is great. As I have posted, I still have pain and stiffness. I am able to do my ADL's and lead a relatively normal life but I am never without my knee letting me know it is there. I have tried 4 different therapists and a chiropractor. I am currently walking per @KarriB suggestion and I am using KT tape on my quads and IT band. For whatever reason, the tape relieves the pain and stiffness and, at times, I forget about my knee. Once I take the tape off, the pain and stiffness comes back.

My best to you and I pray that you will get some relief.

 

[KarriB]

18 months was right around the time I realized I could do squats in a pool. I bet you’ll continue to see improvement. Slow and steady wins the race...

 

[DIYSteve]

18 months was right around the time I realized I could do squats in a pool. I bet you’ll continue to see improvement. Slow and steady wins the race...

I am encouraged to read this

 

[Cflower]

I will be at 7 years on my first knee June 27, 2012 and I have to say, my tight band feeling has never gone away. No pain but it is annoying to feel like I have a brace on both knees (second knee done 10/1/12) or duck tape wrapped around it. My bend is fine the tightness just never went away 24/7. I've having cupping done on both knees. The massage therapist thinks it could be fascia that I stuck down (if that is possible). I bought my own cups but don't really remember to do it a few times a week. I've given up on the fact that it will go away because after 7 years I don't think it will. My twin sister had a knee replacement a few years ago and she had no problem whatsoever . I did have 4 MUA's on the two knees so don't know I that could be the cause.

 

[Jockette]

It’s been 2 years for my partial and I still have that tightness, also.

 

[Didot]

I’m approaching 4 months. My knee consumes me. I move from trying to minimise stress on the swollen,stiff knee to pushing it a bit to break through the disabling feeling of not being able to comfortably walk and feel normal. It’s a nightmare for me too. I had a MUA a month ago which definitely helped to get some bend - but it still feels like a heavy, solid ball in the joint. I know how you feel.


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[4quilts]

I am 20 months out from RTKR and 18 months out from MUA. I have followed @KarriB walking schedule. I started out in January walking 10 minutes twice a day (I did laps in my garage due to the inclement weather). I slowly, and I do mean slowly, progressed to 30 minutes twice a day. The other thing that has helped me tremendously is KT Tape. I tried applying the KT tape in various locations, directions and length of strips. Since, I still have IT band issues with stiffness and pain, I watched a video on how to apply it to my leg/knee for IT band issues. At first, it felt weird but it has relieved the stiffness and pain from my IT band and makes walking comfortable. Thanks @Jockette for the initial introduction to KT Tape. I also do deep massage (using my thumb) on my IT Band and any "hot spots" (areas that are hurting) using some type of medicated salve. I do quad strengthening exercises as well.

I still have issues with walking down a hill but at least I can walk down. I still cannot do foot over foot on steps and, if I am never able to, I can deal with that. When I work in my yard, I use an Ace bandage or a brace to give my knees the added support but at least I can work in my yard. I won't say that I am without pain and stiffness totally but it is so so so much better than before. I have seen a revision surgeon twice and the CT scan shows that all is okay. There is no infection. So, I have searched and researched to try to find the answers to my stiffness and pain. The KT tape, massage and walking seems to be the answer for me right now. I still have days when I beg God for his help. Those days are not as frequent.

 

[Jockette]

in. The KT tape, massage and walking seems to be the answer for me right now. I still have days when I beg God for his help. Those days are not as frequent.

I’m glad you have found things to help.

My melt downs are fewer and less intense these days. I had a minor one the other night as a storm rolled through as weather really upsets my knee. I get that same old “hunk of wood and the Pinocchio feeling” from storms.

 

[KarriB]

I’m glad some walking seems to be helping. It really is best to progress super slow to give your leg time to rebuild those muscles that haven’t been used in so long. I cannot go up or down foot over foot because of a bad left knee, so my RTKR is my go to on steps curbs etc.

 

[Jockette]

@4quilts Hi and Merry Christmas!

How are things going for you??

My knee is about the same, but I guess I’m getting more used to it because when I’m out and distracted with activities I don’t notice it’s issues much.

 

[4quilts]

Hi @Jockette. Merry Christmas. It is good to hear from you.

I went back to therapy the first of November. These therapists do hands-on with massaging and ultrasound, they do not do the standard protocol for therapy after knee replacement. The IT Band has relaxed, the muscles around my knee have strengthened and I am hopeful that I will be able to live with my knee without further surgery. There have been a couple days that I have been pain free with just some stiffness above the knee so it gives me hope. It is such a long, long recovery and there a days that I get discouraged but, overall, I am doing better. Thanks for checking in with me.

 

[HoneyB]

I haven't checked into Bonesmart in the past several months. I'm glad I happened upon this thread as soon as I logged in. @4quilts - I can completely understand your frustration with the stiffness. My LTKR is at almost 23 months and my RTKR is at 19 months. I have no idea what my flexion is, but I'd say it's very good for my LTKR and not nearly as good for my RTKR. I had lifelong IT band problems in both legs prior to my surgeries, and it's still a significant issue for me with my right leg. My knees feel very good, but that IT band certainly stiffens up my right leg. I walk 2.5 miles per day with little to no problems, but my right-leg IT band reminds me it's there every time I walk downstairs, which I do multiple times per day, or need to do a big knee bend. I always default to my left knee when a big bend is required. I'm still hoping my right IT band will loosen up one day...... I hope the same for you!

 

[4quilts]

@HoneyB I keep hoping that the IT Band will get tired of being tight and will loosen for good. The new therapy seems to be helping and it is my last hope as the OS and revision OS see nothing wrong with my right knee after a CT Scan and Bone Scan. I still cannot go foot over foot on the stairs and I can live with that. I am once again using KT Tape and that helps me with walking and standing for long periods. When I read other knee replacement journeys on Bonesmart, I realize that I am lucky to be as good as I am.

 

[HoneyB]

KT Tape helped me, too. I just got tired of using it after a few weeks. I bought a roller bar for IT band self-massage and used it faithfully for a few months. The massage felt good in a painful sort of way, but it didn't have much affect on my IT band problem. I probably need to go back to using the roller bar and doing the many IT band stretches I was taught in PT..

 

[Lindylee]

Oh dear, this IT band is such a problem. My surgeon said it would probably take 18 months and I was hopeful until I read your post. Mine still reminds me when I go downstairs or after Keep Fit or Pilates if we've been doing squats. I do the stretches, but probably not as often or as long as I should. My physio massaged my leg to try and help, but we both came to the conclusion that it felt good at the time (in that painful way HoneyB describes) that it wasn't really having any effect.

My knee feels perfectly normal at times and at other times feels like an alien, usually the day after I've been exercising or have been busy. I'm having the RTKR in 10 days time and wonder how walking will be if I have 2 knees that feel like aliens!

 

[bland9]

myself I believe it never really goes away- Im having trouble with my new knee so having to put weight on the other old TKR and boy its came back with a vengeance and it stiffened up so much its difficult to bend it past 80 rom so my old TKR knee back to the beginning concerning tightness and stiffness

 

[4quilts]

Knowing that I am not alone with this IT Band issue gives me some comfort but it also makes me feel sorry for those who suffer. In hindsight, my IT Band and an injury I received 15 years ago where I tore the muscle and tendons from my knee to my ankle could have been the major reason my knee was so painful before the TKR. I so hoped that the TKR would give me relief. I just have a different kind of pain. I still have hope and will continue the massage and ultrasound therapy. We have a new Pool facility in my area specializing in training and I am hopeful that they will also do water therapy for joint issues. Take care and let me know how you are doing.

 

[Lindylee]

I'm thinking of going to a physio who specialises in hydrotherapy and has been recommended by 3 different people for sorting out their knees. In typical fashion, one week before my next surgery my 'old' knee is behaving and my 'new' knee has decided to ache.

Let me know if you go to the pool and if it helps.