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Scar tissue after knee replacement

Posted by leithlane @leithlane, Jan 31, 2017

I had knee replacement surgery 6 weeks ago . Through PT I have been working on breaking up the scar tissue only for it to regrow by the time I get back to PT two days later. I have been massaging at home, using a hand held massager and roller. It is painful and swollen. I am getting very disheartened. Any suggestions as to what else I can do. Has anyone had laser treatments to break up scar tissue? Were they effective?

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spinner2 | @spinner2 | Oct 6 7:24pm
In reply to @kenbo "Thank you for the encouraging words! The last thing I wanted to do was an MUA..." + (show)
@kenbo

Thank you for the encouraging words! The last thing I wanted to do was an MUA but I trust my surgeon, who has many years of experience. So sorry you went through what you did. Even with a highly regarded surgeon, bad things can happen. However, that seems like a lot of damage for a MUA. Best of luck with the surgical scar removal! One question. Did they drill your new knee parts to bone or use cement?

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I actually do not know whether they were drilled or cemented.

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skshapiro | @skshapiro | Oct 7 10:00am
In reply to @spinner2 "Very happy with your results and hope you continue to recover well. A word of caution,..." + (show)
@spinner2

Very happy with your results and hope you continue to recover well. A word of caution, with these knee procedures (there are risks with then all) particularly MUA . My (highly regarded) surgeon achieved 125 degrees flexion, but intended up with a stress fracture in my femur, quadriceps hematoma and bleeding from blood vessels, that left me immobile for 3 1/2 weeks. At 6 months since the initial TKR I have 90 degrees ROM (on a good day) and looking at surgical removal of scar tissue in 5 weeks, with a minor revision of the TKR and rod inserted in my femur to stabilize it in case I need another MUA . It’s been a journey! So glad to have had this group to help me navigate the ups and downs

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Wow spinner you shared information that is a validation for my situation that so far no one else has communicated. That is the femur connection with a tkr. I had tkr Feb. of 23. The whole experience was difficult. Did alot of various things but my bend never got much beyond 90. Then in April of this year I took a step in my kitchen my knee buckled and found out my femur fractured. No one mentioned the tkr connection to my fracture but I always wondered. I have another second opinion appointment coming up to discuss what my next step is. The ongoing healing of my femur has given me more mobility but still difficult.

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1 reply
skshapiro | @skshapiro | Oct 7 10:06am
In reply to @cathymw "Studies indicate MUAs are not effective if components are oversized. Have you had a second opinion?..." + (show)
@cathymw

Studies indicate MUAs are not effective if components are oversized. Have you had a second opinion?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777155/
My second opinion said no one would touch me until 1. A MUA had been tried and 2. A year had passed since TKA

My MUA seems to be working so far. Still exercising, icing, elevating, NSAIDS…

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Thank you sooo much for the link. Very few mention the problem of an oversized component.
Not sure I understand it all but I get it to some degree and will mention it at my next second opinion.

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1 reply
cathymw | @cathymw | Oct 7 10:42am
In reply to @skshapiro "Thank you sooo much for the link. Very few mention the problem of an oversized component...." + (show)
@skshapiro

Thank you sooo much for the link. Very few mention the problem of an oversized component.
Not sure I understand it all but I get it to some degree and will mention it at my next second opinion.

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Only knew as my surgeon mentioned at my 6 week post op that he’d go down a size for my next knee! I am no radiologist but the imaging looks pretty large. My knee and thigh measures 1.25” larger than other. Like don’t they know ahead of time what size is needed?

Had troubles with flexion. Did have an MUA. Better, but skin is rather tight always. Hoping I get used to it.

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spinner2 | @spinner2 | Oct 7 2:00pm
In reply to @skshapiro "Wow spinner you shared information that is a validation for my situation that so far no..." + (show)
@skshapiro

Wow spinner you shared information that is a validation for my situation that so far no one else has communicated. That is the femur connection with a tkr. I had tkr Feb. of 23. The whole experience was difficult. Did alot of various things but my bend never got much beyond 90. Then in April of this year I took a step in my kitchen my knee buckled and found out my femur fractured. No one mentioned the tkr connection to my fracture but I always wondered. I have another second opinion appointment coming up to discuss what my next step is. The ongoing healing of my femur has given me more mobility but still difficult.

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Sending My prayers for your healing and hope the fracture wasn’t too great. It seems even though we sign the dotted line that we accept the risks of surgery, we hope we don’t have complications. My fracture was definitely the result of too much pressure against the scar tissue. Obviously I’m changing surgeons for the next procedure.

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1 reply
ruthblaze | @ruthblaze | Oct 7 3:19pm
In reply to @skshapiro "My question; is how does one know if it is scar tissue that is causing the..." + (show)
@skshapiro

My question; is how does one know if it is scar tissue that is causing the difficulty. I was told an MRI isn't good because of the metal in the hardware, someone mentioned an ultra sound could help diagnose soft tissue. I had mua done 3 mos. after tkr. The surgeon showed me a picture of my knee in a total bend as i lay in bed in agony and I thought . . . sure you can do it but will I and then he tells me there really was not much scar tissue. I did pt 3x a week, used a cpm machine 2 x a day and still my bend was not improving. I am a year and 9 mos. out and I am now just beginning to feel like my knee is healing and it doesn't feel awful. I never dreamed it would take this long.

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3 years out. I’ve done from severe stiffness to constant pain the X-rays and mri are normal but the doctors don’t offer me any solutions pain management suggested an epidural but I’m scared of making things worse I’d rather get to the root of the problem. I also developed neuropathy in both feet following the surgery. It’s been traumatic

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1 reply
skshapiro | @skshapiro | Oct 7 5:06pm

I am sorry Ruth to hear about your struggles. Luckily I am not in pain only severe stiffness and a horrible bend that causes me to use a cane and makes me feel unsteady most of the time. After I fractured my femur, the pain doctor put me on celebrex and that helped immensely. I have a third opinion appointment coming up on the 16th of this month and if he sheds any light on these difficulties I will let you know.

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skshapiro | @skshapiro | Oct 7 5:11pm
In reply to @spinner2 "Sending My prayers for your healing and hope the fracture wasn’t too great. It seems even..." + (show)
@spinner2

Sending My prayers for your healing and hope the fracture wasn’t too great. It seems even though we sign the dotted line that we accept the risks of surgery, we hope we don’t have complications. My fracture was definitely the result of too much pressure against the scar tissue. Obviously I’m changing surgeons for the next procedure.

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No it was a complete fracture and the surgeon put a rod in my leg. She was great. I am not experiencing any pain in my upper thigh. It is my knee that is giving me problems and so the journey continues.

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deuie | @deuie | Oct 10 8:31am
In reply to @ruthblaze "3 years out. I’ve done from severe stiffness to constant pain the X-rays and mri are..." + (show)
@ruthblaze

3 years out. I’ve done from severe stiffness to constant pain the X-rays and mri are normal but the doctors don’t offer me any solutions pain management suggested an epidural but I’m scared of making things worse I’d rather get to the root of the problem. I also developed neuropathy in both feet following the surgery. It’s been traumatic

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I’m so sorry you are having those problems. It’s terrible. I’m two years out and still have a lot of pain and stiffness. I am also very unsteady and have had to continue to use a rollator. I have a lot of numbness in the foot of the leg that had the tkr and no one knows what to do about it. It’s truly been a nightmare. I wish there was a way for all of us to figure this out.

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