TKR Suggestions needed for “tight band” feeling

@NightQuilter: thanks for responding! I appreciate this non-surgical suggestion :) I’m curious how, exactly, the homeopathic dr helped your daughter get desensitized... sounds intriguing. I’m willing to try ANYTHING!
 
In her case, it was a process of him doing some muscle testing to determine other weaknesses, finding connections between those and the pork allergy, and homeopathic drops to treat the connections. I know it sounds like voodoo to those who rely only on western medicine, but I've seen him do some amazing things on people. How long did you try acupuncture? Sometimes going to another therapist with different training will yield different results.
 
@NightQuilter: interesting....they told me 4 sessions of acupuncture would tell if it would help, so I did 4 sessions. Didn’t notice any difference EXCEPT it made my scar markedly less visible in a 2-inch section. Yes, the homeopathic dr sounds a little bit alternative...but at this point I’d try anything! Just saw a pain dr today and he prescribed CBD gummies and some CBD cream (to reduce inflammation), switching to an anti-inflammation diet, riding an exercise bike and, and if those don’t work, another nerve block. He does think I have a bunch of scar tissue in there but in 12 years of seeing patients for pain he hasn’t had anyone present w/my “tightness” in the knee. Sigh! Tks for writing back! Will post how the gummies and cream works in abt 6 weeks.
 
That is so interesting that the acupuncture reduced scar visibility! Cool. It will be interesting to hear how you respond to the CBD gummies and cream. When my back acts up, I do get fairly quick relief from CBD cream. The anti-inflammatory diet sounds like a good idea as well. I know I would miss tomatoes most if I have to try it! Good luck.
 
@NightQuilter: tomatoes aren’t on the “foods to avoid” list (altho I thought they are highly acidic and therefore should be!). I suspect it’s just a partial list. I’d miss tomatoes, too! The one thing that jumps out is “English muffins.” I eat half of a whole wheat one several times/week. I joke that they want me to eat just bread and water...now it’s just down to water!
 
Anyone out there at about 19 mos post-op still having a warm knee? I notice it a few hours after I walk for exercise (about 2 miles). Seems unusual, after all this time!
 
If it is of any help, my hubs, the Sainted Joe, is 18 months post TKR and still gets the warm knee after his hikes. It will dissipate.
 
@Mamie: Thanks so much for checking with your friend about my “tight band” feeling. I really appreciate your research, too. I WISH I could get an MRI...I’ve had several doctors say that, even with the machine being set (or dialed down or whatever) there’s just too much metal in there to get an accurate reading. (A MARS MRI is what someone suggested; it IS used after hip replacement tho...).

No one’s suggested I have “nerve compression” so that’s an avenue I will explore.

As for now, PT is going well. I really love my PT person...he’s gentle, explains everything and starts the sessions w/a knee massage! I’ve had 3 sessions...2 x/week...with 12 total. I’m authorized for more this year but I don’t want to “use” them all now in case I have trouble later this year.

I hope your clot has dissolved and that you are feeling a lot better!! Any new news this week? I hope they can figure out how to drain all the fluid you’ve accumulated....

I’ve answered you on the forum, which they want us to do as opposed to sending personal messages. I want to follow the guidelines...and not jeopardize my Bonesmart membership! I’ve gotten such valuable help and support from forum advisors and members, like you!

I’ve got to get going and clean for the upcoming holiday! If you celebrate it, Happy Easter! Continued prayers for your healing...
 
Happy Easter Stiff Knee!

No problem with guidelines. I asked, and they welcome friendships.

It is no problem at all regarding my surgeon friend. Not knowing you or your case, his suggestion was just that. He is a brilliant retired surgeon, but as he says, this is way out of his field; but as a specialist, he still had basic education as a doctor before becoming a surgeon. And from what you shared, those two suggestions were what he came up with. I, as a writer, research almost everything, and I was happy to try to find answers with you. I hope what I sent was helpful and not what you had read already.

Let me know if I can help in any way at all. You will remain in my prayers, as do our friends here who share our experienceand with hopes
 
Sorry, Stiff Knee, I was correcting a word, and it just sent. I was just saying in essence that we are so lucky to have others who experience and share our every emotion, disappointment, first steps, sorrows, and hard times, but share the joy for each other as one by one, we reach our goals. So, in my quiet way, I feel connected as though we are all one, where we all need help with support, which is what we have here at Bone Smart.

Talk again later
 
I’m about 6 sessions along w/PT and it’s helped more than anything else has. Still have tightness. And still have very tight tight days alternated w/less tight days. I’m convinced it’s scar tissue, which no doctor has even considered before. (X-rays and blood work still look fine.) So the question is: can anything besides stretching and PT alleviate scar tissue? I’m 4 mos shy of two years... and still walking 2 miles/day, 3-4 x/week. I’d appreciate any suggestions! Tks in advance...
 
I’m 4 mos shy of two years... and still walking 2 miles/day, 3-4 x/week.
Sounds like you are doing OK and the PT has helped. Short of surgery for arthrofibriosis (overgrowth of scar tissue), and or a revision with a nickel free implant, you are doing all you can.

Since you are seeing improvement with PT and are able to walk several miles, staying with your current course may be the best way forward. Many of of have seen gains after 2+ years.
IMO if you ever proceed with that second knee, insist on a nickel free implant.
 
@Pumpkln: Thanks for responding. I didn’t know that they could just do surgery for scar growth... but wouldn’t that create...scars again?! I asked my doctor at Duke if they ever just “open you up and look around.” Answer: no! But wonder if they could just open me up to REMOVE overgrowth of scar tissue? And also wonder if a nickel allergy can cause a scar overgrowth? I go in June to see him. Will see what he says and post his response.
 
Yes, there is a specific type of surgery for removal of adhesions. And you're right....there is a risk that having that procedure could result in a return of more adhesions. I would stay away from that option as long as you are seeing some improvement with stretching and therapy. I'll be interested to hear what your surgeon has to say about it.
 
Hi Stiff knee NC. I've been quietly following your quest for answers as I've been in a similar tight-band situation since my TKR last summer. I had several complications along the way and was actually diagnosed with arthrofibrosis pretty early on during this adventure but my ROM is bad (low 70s in general), tightness persistent and it worsens considerably so easily (can't walk .4 mile without big swelling and turning ridiculously tight). Fortunately, now I have plenty of discomfort but little actual pain. Anyway, it's apparent that we are 'neighbors'. I was surprised not to see an arthrofibrosis specialist listed at either Duke or UNC though obviously both have excellent orthos. I am not a candidate for any more surgery due to CRPS (getting successful treatment at Ral. Neuro's pain clinic). I've been given the 'live with it' talk about my knee and have lowered my expectations - but not to the point of being this bad forever. Thinking ahead, is it ok to name the PT group where you've had success with an 'gentle' PT in our area? I'd like to give PT another try when I am able provided they are familiar with AF and the need for a gentle, minimal inflammation approach that's necessary for AF patients. I am able to increase my ROM to 90 but it will only last about 15 mins - then gone. I appreciate your sharing so much good information on this forum, neighbor! .... Another Stiff Knee in NC
 
If you can increase your bend to 90, then it's probably not adhesions that are causing your lack of ROM. You lose that 90 more than likely because of swelling inside and out. It hasn't been that long since your TKR and your break. These things take a lot of time to heal from.

I will ask the staff if they know of anyone to recommend for a gentle PT. Of course, you can control that since you are the PT's boss, not the other way around. You can tell them under no circumstances will you do aggressive PT.
 
It's fine to put the names of good therapists out there for other members. You can name the clinic as well, just don't put a link to their website here on the forum as we do not permit commercial links from members.

Dealing successfully with arthrofibrosis is a specialty of orthopedics that has only a few surgeons listed across all of the United States. It's a tricky problem and requires a lot of expertise when the adhesions are removed, as it is easy to upset the knee again and cause problems after the procedure.
 
@bs27: forgive me... I didn’t see that I had a message (no “1” underneath the envelope at top). I just randomly went to see when I last posted and saw your message. I am seeing Brent at Sports and More at Healthtrax. He is beyond wonderful...gentle, knowledgeable, encouraging, etc. I’ve seen him abt 16 times. I can get to 120 after a good stretching/massage session w/him...but overall (and especially the last several days) my left knee has been extremely tight and for extra fun, on a slow 20 min walk tonight, my left hip hurt, too! I’ve NEVER had that happen ever. And I can’t even describe the stiffness I get just standing in one place for as little as 20 mins. I’m starting to feel depressed and desperate again. As I told my husband, I will always believe that there is something wrong in there, despite x-rays and blood work showing I’m fine. Brent thinks I have scar tissue....

I have an appointment w/a dr this week for what is probably a torn rotator... and I will go see Brent for PT on that body part, too.

Also this week, I have an appointment w/Dr. Michael Bolognesi at Duke. Supposedly he’s THE knee guy at Duke. I saw him last in Nov. I’ve done all the things he told me to do (skin patch test, nerve block and nerve ablation) so I have NO idea what, if anything, he can do for me. I asked his PA, via the portal, if he ever goes in to “look around” to see what is wrong. She said no. It is particularly maddening that no one can tell me (and there’s no test that they can do that will tell me) what the heck is wrong!

I would be interested in knowing who you see at Ral Neuro. The dr who told me to “quit focusing all my attention” on my knee was at a pain clinic affiliated w/Rex. I won’t be going back to him. I would really like not to feel tightness/pain any more after 2 long years so am open to going somewhere else.

Thanks in advance for your help. Again, my apologies for not writing back sooner! The only other thing I can add is: no PT should hurt, and if it is, find a new PT. I learned this the hard, painful way when pretty early on I nearly fainted from the pain when I was having my knee “pushed” to get to a better bend. Never again.

Take care...and wishing you much better days ahead!
 
@Jamie: Am wondering how I can find an Ortho dr who specializes in arthrofibrosis in the Southeast part of the US? I will ask the Duke dr when I see him this week...but in case he’s not aware of someone, can you point me in a direction or provide a list of names? Tks in advance!
 

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