Scar tissue after knee replacement

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

I also developed scar tissue, immediately following surgery, I was told it was genetic. I refused manipulation as I had such severe swelling and bruising after surgery. With aggressive and very painful PT I was able to get to 110 degrees, which I am at currently, at 11 weeks out. I have 2 PT sessions left and then will continue with my home exercising program. Hopefully all this snow will melt soon so I can begin some serious walking

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

I have been through it all. Now I have been taking spinal pain shots. They haven't worked at all. So I am going to have a pain implant put in and will see if that helps. I don't want a revision done on the TKR.

I had my tkr done 5 years ago, still swells especially in water therapy. That is why i went to stem cells for the other knee. All i can say is live with it and try to strengthen the leg as best you can. My surgeon just shrugged his shoulders and said move on. I noticed in my years of dealing with it is some really do well and others do not and they have the same surgeons. Pain pills and i do not get along so working out and doing my exercises is all i can recommend. If i had do overs i would never had the tkr done. Next life will be different.

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

I had tkr on January 29,2018. I had 10 therapy sessions with the Pt. I had my pt manipulate the scar tissue with her thumbs on every sessions, I did my exercises at the gym. She also did dry kneedling when ever she found a tight spot on the thigh that was hindering the bend. The last few days I was instructed to bend my knee every 30 minutes even if I was sitting in a chair. I had a steady progress with many hours of hard work. She finally discharged me yesterday. I was very fortunate to be able to measure at 142 degree bend. I owe my success to lots of scar tissue manipulation by the Pt and the spinning bike. I was also very religious doing all the exercises I was told to do. I still can feel little snapping of the scar tissue in the knee while I’m biking. I had my other knee replaced in 2011 and it has a bend 146 degrees. I just wanted to share my success story so it might be an inspiration for someone.

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