1. < Joint Replacements

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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ezas123 | @ezas123 | Feb 9 11:56am
In reply to @spinner2 "I waited 7 months. Progress has been slightly better than the first. Surgeon is better and..." + (show)
@spinner2

I waited 7 months. Progress has been slightly better than the first. Surgeon is better and that makes a difference but all in all, I am in agreement with how you wish to proceed. There must be something chemical going on, aside from the scar tissue. No one seems to know, which leads me to the question “Why Not?” If even a minuscule 5-10% experience this painful and frustrating outcome, how is it that there isnt a way to chart a course for that patient ? I try to blame it on the fact that it’s my Immune system or that because I’m on a blood thinner Medication I can’t take an anti-inflammatory . We need to just go on, keep doing as much daily stretching as we can handle and live life!

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Thank you for getting back to me ….. helps to hear from others …. I am hoping at some point one of us get the answer to this scare tissue issue that plagues so many of us and stops us in our recovery …..good look to you on your continued journey

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1 reply
spinner2 | @spinner2 | Feb 11 3:40pm
In reply to @ezas123 "Thank you for getting back to me ….. helps to hear from others …. I am..." + (show)
@ezas123

Thank you for getting back to me ….. helps to hear from others …. I am hoping at some point one of us get the answer to this scare tissue issue that plagues so many of us and stops us in our recovery …..good look to you on your continued journey

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I want you to know that the manipulation procedure went very well this morning 2/11/25 (less pain than I anticipated, +11 degrees ROM , 1 degree extension measured @7 - 2 weeks ago!) successful PT session 3 hrs after procedure. I have an amazing surgeon with whom agreed that more of a less aggressive manipulation that could have resulted in a bone fracture or connective tissue problems would not be a good plan after all I’ve been through. I hope I can maintain my gain.p, a God willing, add to it. Right now I’m pretty pleased.Good luck with all your future therapy goals.

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3 replies
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Feb 12 5:33am
In reply to @spinner2 "I want you to know that the manipulation procedure went very well this morning 2/11/25 (less..." + (show)
@spinner2

I want you to know that the manipulation procedure went very well this morning 2/11/25 (less pain than I anticipated, +11 degrees ROM , 1 degree extension measured @7 - 2 weeks ago!) successful PT session 3 hrs after procedure. I have an amazing surgeon with whom agreed that more of a less aggressive manipulation that could have resulted in a bone fracture or connective tissue problems would not be a good plan after all I’ve been through. I hope I can maintain my gain.p, a God willing, add to it. Right now I’m pretty pleased.Good luck with all your future therapy goals.

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That is awesome …. My prayers go out to you to maintain the gain and than some …. Take care of you… please let me know how it’s going…

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barbara75 | @barbara75 | Feb 12 11:24am

I had both knees done 6 years and 3 years ago. I had scar tissue manipulation done on the first knee. I have had a miserable time from having knee surgery.
I have had lots and lots of therapy, stiffness in the knee cap area. And also locking up and had no control and just fell. Just this Christmas Eve fell down 9 stairs , fractured my thumb and 5 $stitches over my eye brow. I have been housebound since September because of weakness in my legs, I’ve had lots of X-rays orthopedic Dr. saying everything is fine. Well I don’t feel everything is fine. Don’t know where to go from here. Anyone have any of these things happen?

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1 reply
cathymw | @cathymw | Feb 13 10:03am
In reply to @spinner2 "I want you to know that the manipulation procedure went very well this morning 2/11/25 (less..." + (show)
@spinner2

I want you to know that the manipulation procedure went very well this morning 2/11/25 (less pain than I anticipated, +11 degrees ROM , 1 degree extension measured @7 - 2 weeks ago!) successful PT session 3 hrs after procedure. I have an amazing surgeon with whom agreed that more of a less aggressive manipulation that could have resulted in a bone fracture or connective tissue problems would not be a good plan after all I’ve been through. I hope I can maintain my gain.p, a God willing, add to it. Right now I’m pretty pleased.Good luck with all your future therapy goals.

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Impressive results already. I had swelling and stiffness after my MUA, but went into daily PT until my numbers and mobility improved. I gained over 30* flexion and my knee can flatten now. So glad I pushed for it. Surgeon was very reluctant to do it.

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ezas123 | @ezas123 | Feb 14 7:30pm
In reply to @barbara75 "I had both knees done 6 years and 3 years ago. I had scar tissue manipulation..." + (show)
@barbara75

I had both knees done 6 years and 3 years ago. I had scar tissue manipulation done on the first knee. I have had a miserable time from having knee surgery.
I have had lots and lots of therapy, stiffness in the knee cap area. And also locking up and had no control and just fell. Just this Christmas Eve fell down 9 stairs , fractured my thumb and 5 $stitches over my eye brow. I have been housebound since September because of weakness in my legs, I’ve had lots of X-rays orthopedic Dr. saying everything is fine. Well I don’t feel everything is fine. Don’t know where to go from here. Anyone have any of these things happen?

Jump to this post

I am with you it is such a let down to go through all of that and still have such pain and not much more mobility than probably before surgery….. only to have Dr say everything looks great …I think we have to look back and see did anything help I know for me mfr helps great deal along with Graston technique, and walking briskly ……... I have only gotten my one knee done but I have had it done twice because Dr put in wrong size also a manipulation…. This is all together about over 4 year’s ago I think I have lost track ….but I have always have had tight feeling in my knee cap area but not always pain happy to say …. Now I am experiencing more pain from not being able to exercise a few months due to a car accident… does not take long to lose flexion let me tell you I went from 100 to 75 pretty quick …. Back in aqua therapy again … Dr talked about removing scar tissue but I don’t think I will just from reading everyone else experiences may help little bit but scar tissue comes back with a vengeance….i think I will do therapy get my lower back and hip back in shape so i can get back to gym ….i am doing mfr again for the little swelling i use osmo patches they are amazing for bringing swelling down in your knee…for me i think my body produces scar tissue very quickly so i think to remove it i be fighting a losing battle ….. my other knee I am trying gel shot and sound wave therapy…..I feel for you I know how frustrated you must feel but maybe time for second opinion …. Have you ever tried mfr therapy I found this very helpful especially for my knee cap…..have you been able to do any strengthening therapy on your legs at all ? When I had my surgery I had a team of Dr and therapist, it’s been years but found the need to bring the team back together ….. maybe you need to find your team to help you get your strength back in your legs …..maybe a Dr who will listen …..slow and steady

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1 reply
caseybo1115 | @caseybo1115 | 4 days ago
In reply to @spinner2 "I want you to know that the manipulation procedure went very well this morning 2/11/25 (less..." + (show)
@spinner2

I want you to know that the manipulation procedure went very well this morning 2/11/25 (less pain than I anticipated, +11 degrees ROM , 1 degree extension measured @7 - 2 weeks ago!) successful PT session 3 hrs after procedure. I have an amazing surgeon with whom agreed that more of a less aggressive manipulation that could have resulted in a bone fracture or connective tissue problems would not be a good plan after all I’ve been through. I hope I can maintain my gain.p, a God willing, add to it. Right now I’m pretty pleased.Good luck with all your future therapy goals.

Jump to this post

I’m glad your mua went well. I had tkr 11 months ago and had mua 11 weeks after surgery because my rom was stuck at 85-90. It did help, I got to 115-125 after many many additional pt sessions. My problem is excessive scar tissue which results in constant and apparently permanent swelling and tightness, it feels like my knee and areas around it are filled with cement. Only time I have extreme pain is when I try to go down stairs so I feel lucky from standpoint of pain, but I’m going to have to decide on whether to 1) try open surgery to remove the scar tissue (and hope ir doesn’t return) or 2) live with my current limitations and hope the adhesions don’t damage my implant long term.

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spinner2 | @spinner2 | 4 days ago

Thanks for the helpful information of what might be own the road for mei. The future. I pretty much believe the theory that every time you do a surgery you create even more scar tissue. I had the same results after the revision and scar tissue removal surgery as I had after the first TKR.

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psmlford817 | @psmlford817 | 3 days ago
In reply to @cobweb "i should not laugh but when i went through physical therapy we were near a doctors..." + (show)
@cobweb

i should not laugh but when i went through physical therapy we were near a doctors office. The screams brought the nurses running down the hall. They came from me as i was breaking the scar tissue. I still do not have the flexibility i ad before replacement but it will have to do. I do now people that have had to have surgery to break the scar tissue. I was told how wonderful it would be to have a knee replacement and to be able to play tennis again etc. Golf is my sport of choice now.
The knee brace i have for the left knee that i purchased for stem cells has the have the hand cranks. Love the brace. Wear it when i golf, biking and gardening. Would recommend it to anyone as it has great support. Its not like like that are advertised or what you see young people wearing in sports.
I do have a friend who will be undergoing scar tissue surgery. I knew he would hve to have it done as he did nothing at home. Another friend did nothing, had her surgery for scar tissue , had second knee done and learned her lesson and did the therapy at home. Hard work, painful, but as they say, growing old ain't for sissies.

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My doctor who did the surgery and two other doctors told me if they opened it up to break up the scar tissue it could get infected so I haven’t done anything. I don’t have much range of motion and a lot of pain. What is the name of the brace you have and where did you get it? I can’t walk without a walker or a cane. I have to do something.

REPLY
psmlford817 | @psmlford817 | 3 days ago
In reply to @ezas123 "I am with you it is such a let down to go through all of that..." + (show)
@ezas123

I am with you it is such a let down to go through all of that and still have such pain and not much more mobility than probably before surgery….. only to have Dr say everything looks great …I think we have to look back and see did anything help I know for me mfr helps great deal along with Graston technique, and walking briskly ……... I have only gotten my one knee done but I have had it done twice because Dr put in wrong size also a manipulation…. This is all together about over 4 year’s ago I think I have lost track ….but I have always have had tight feeling in my knee cap area but not always pain happy to say …. Now I am experiencing more pain from not being able to exercise a few months due to a car accident… does not take long to lose flexion let me tell you I went from 100 to 75 pretty quick …. Back in aqua therapy again … Dr talked about removing scar tissue but I don’t think I will just from reading everyone else experiences may help little bit but scar tissue comes back with a vengeance….i think I will do therapy get my lower back and hip back in shape so i can get back to gym ….i am doing mfr again for the little swelling i use osmo patches they are amazing for bringing swelling down in your knee…for me i think my body produces scar tissue very quickly so i think to remove it i be fighting a losing battle ….. my other knee I am trying gel shot and sound wave therapy…..I feel for you I know how frustrated you must feel but maybe time for second opinion …. Have you ever tried mfr therapy I found this very helpful especially for my knee cap…..have you been able to do any strengthening therapy on your legs at all ? When I had my surgery I had a team of Dr and therapist, it’s been years but found the need to bring the team back together ….. maybe you need to find your team to help you get your strength back in your legs …..maybe a Dr who will listen …..slow and steady

Jump to this post

I had a tkr done 15 months ago. I am still in awful pain. My knee is swollen bad and one doctor said I have a lot of scar tissue. I can’t do exercises because I had rods and screws put in my L-4 and L-5 back in 2018. Then 6 months after that my surgeon froze my S-I joint. I’m in more pain now than I was before either surgery. I’ve recently found out I have arachnoiditis. There is no cure for that. It is nerves that have been damaged. It is a result of the back surgeries and from epidural shots. The original surgeon knew it because it showed up on an MRI that he did after the 2 surgeries he did on me. He didn’t tell me anything about it. He told me there was nothing more he could do for me. The doctor I went to that found the arachnoiditis sent me the MRI that the original doctor took that showed that I had it. So I believe this doctor. I feel so sorry for anyone with knee or back pain because so many people who have had surgery are still in pain.

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