Did anyone solve Iliotibial band problems?

[Nancy Harkey]

I am now four months post op on tkr. Most things are going well including ROM and general strength. But, just raising my bent knee for any reason (sitting, and putting foot into shoe or pants, for example) remains quite painful and has not changed with the past month's PT. I am told it likely is due to adhesions of the IT band. I seem to remember others commenting on problems there a while back, and wonder if anyone found a solution?

Thanks for any comments

Nancy Harkey

 

[Josephine]

Immediate solutions are icing and pain killers. Longer term solutions are special exercises and massage (Doug may have something to add here!) but ultimately, if it IS adhesions and they're well set in, then manipulation is the only answer, I'm afraid.

 

[dw6928]

My PT used a specialized "rolling pin" with grooves on it and massaged the heck out of the IT band for weeks (quite painful) and it seems to have resolved the
pain issue for me.

 

[Josephine]

That's a kind of 'acu-pressure' that chiropractors use. Excruciating at the time but very effective.

 

[edk]

My trainer had me do essentially the same thing. Take one of those 6" diameter
styrofoam cylinders they have laying around the gym and put it just above the
knee and roll up and down over it. Hurts a lot but seems to do some good.

By the way probably the worst motion I have is setting my operated leg on top
of my other one to put on socks. IT band is the culprit

 

[dw6928]

I tried a standard rolling pin at home but it was nowhere nearly as effective as what the PT used. I guess the grooves running throughout the pin get deeper into the IT band.

 

[dw6928]

That's a kind of 'acu-pressure' that chiropractors use. Excruciating at the time but very effective.

Josephine, every stride forward I have made in PT was excruciating but effective.

 

[Josephine]

Ain't that the trufe!

 

[JenniferG]

Jo, can you post that picture of what and where the IT band is again please. Thank you.

 

[schoust]

Hi Nacy you are not alone in your suffering I assure you I am nine weeks out and still in significant pain! In fact I believe that Pt is the answer,just getting up and walking for me makes me feel better in the long run of the day! So my advice is the same take the meds and alway's keep moving as much as possible! It's worth it and it works........

 

[Doug]

I had a heck of a problem with my IT band when I was in the earlier recovery stages. Here's a Youtube video on some of the stretches.
YouTube- Exercises for Iliotibial Band Syndrome

I would stretch my IT at least three times per day. Heat/Ice/deep massage. It takes time but you can overcome it.

 

[Doug]

Here's all the pictures you could ever want of that painful sucker.
https://images.google.com/images?so...&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

I would recommend you just google "IT band stretches".

 

[JenniferG]

Well heck Doug, even I can do the Wall Banger! Thanks for the info.

 

[edk]

Just after college I used to do lots of Harvey Wallbangers

 

[Josephine]

Jo, can you post that picture of what and where the IT band is again please. Thank you.

Here's all the pictures you could ever want of that painful sucker.
https://images.google.com/images?so...&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

I would recommend you just google "IT band stretches".

Doug saved me the trouble!

 

[Gretchendz]

Thanks Doug. I am having a heck of a time with my IT band on my second TKR...I'll try some of of those!

 

[Nancy Harkey]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. Today was my last scheduled day at therapy and the PT doesn't think she can justify more as she has worked intensively on the iliotibial band problem with no improvement. I see the doc next week so will see what she suggests. Meanwhile member dw6928 mentioned a sort of rolling pin with grooves in it, and I would love to know who makes it. I asked my PT about it and she had never heard of it. Went on line for physical therapy equipment but didn't find it. Would very much appreciate any info on the supplier. Thanks again, everyone. Nancy

 

[dw6928]

www.power-systems.com/ you will find the rollers here under physical therapy equipment. they are called body sticks and come in 3 sizes depending on your personal size.

 

[Nancy Harkey]

Fantastic, dw6928! I really appreciate your help, and will hop off and go to that web site ASAP. Nancy

 

[Josephine]

That site is very itneresting, dw - I bookmarked it for future reference. Especially interested in pages of articles and exercises.