Scar tissue after knee replacement

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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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.

ReplY

Hello @leithlane, welcome to Connect.

This is an experience very close to my own. I had my right knee replaced in 2006. I also had aggressive scar tissue immediately after my knee replacement. Ultimately, I had to have two post-surgery knee manipulations where they put me back under and broke the scar tissue up by bending my knee manually. Even after those two manipulations I still had issues with scar tissue. It took almost a full year and a half until I ended up breaking the scar tissue loose on my own when I jumped and landed awkwardly. Although it may be frustrating, sticking with your PT is a must.

I would like to invite @mnpat, @basa, @winning, @joanney, @emme, @kerri123, @gailfaith, @cautiousoptimism, @cheris, @ronnie3716, and @amberpep, to this discussion as they have all had knee replacements and may be able to provide some thoughts on their experiences with scar tissue after surgery.

@leithlane, have you heard of or tried a brace with hand cranks on it that you use to help with straightening and bending your knee? What does your therapist/surgeon say about your scar tissue problems?

Hello @leithlane, welcome to Connect.

This is an experience very close to my own. I had my right knee replaced in 2006. I also had aggressive scar tissue immediately after my knee replacement. Ultimately, I had to have two post-surgery knee manipulations where they put me back under and broke the scar tissue up by bending my knee manually. Even after those two manipulations I still had issues with scar tissue. It took almost a full year and a half until I ended up breaking the scar tissue loose on my own when I jumped and landed awkwardly. Although it may be frustrating, sticking with your PT is a must.

I would like to invite @mnpat, @basa, @winning, @joanney, @emme, @kerri123, @gailfaith, @cautiousoptimism, @cheris, @ronnie3716, and @amberpep, to this discussion as they have all had knee replacements and may be able to provide some thoughts on their experiences with scar tissue after surgery.

@leithlane, have you heard of or tried a brace with hand cranks on it that you use to help with straightening and bending your knee? What does your therapist/surgeon say about your scar tissue problems?

Hi there .... yes, I've had scar tissue develop also. It developed slowly over time, but by the time I hit the 1 year mark, my surgeon went in - arthroscopically - and cleaned it up. But, it never was right, and in another year I had to have a revision - a totally new replacement. Since then, my knee could not be any better. I don't know why this happens to some and not to others ... but after several other options had been tried, including the arthroscopic surgery, I opted to just do the revision .... I'm glad I did.
abby

Hi I had total knee replacement 10 months ago. Lots of swelling. Went to PT had deep tissue massage. VERY painful I felt like I had a very tight band around my knee making it hard to move.. I used a recumbent cross trainer which helped a lot. Getting into the pool and walking had an immediate effect on bringing down the swelling. After 3 months I did fairly well. I was bothered for a long time with sciatic pain making it hard to sit and ride in a car. I had second knee replaced 8 weeks ago. Almost no swelling very good range of motion right after the operation. Doing exercises twice a day and icing 3 time a day. This time around so much better. Some stiffness in knee but nothing compared to last time. My only problem is the hip/butt pain is back but not as bad. Has anyone else had this problem???

I’m 53 and had a double total knee replacement 3 1/2 months ago. I knew it was going to be hard work, but it’s been an agonizing winter. My Dr opted to do an early manipulation when I could only get 90 degree flex.
The manipulation allowed me to get to 125 degrees, but progressively my flex lessened even though I did daily, brutal PT. After being treated like a failure by my surgeon and enduring screaming crying PT sessions, I opted to go with a gentler approach. I’m praying I’m making the right decision as everyone has scared the crap out of me that I have a limited time before scar tissue can’t be moved.
I see a massage therapist twice a week who specializes in lymphatic drainage and a PT person who doesn’t force my knees to bend, but has me use gravity to improve flex and strength. I also use theCMS machine even though studies say they don’t help.
Ok- that was a long winded intro to ask if anyone has ever used the pulsating massagers that supposedly can break up scar tissue . Thinking about getting one, but seems to good to be true.

I’m 53 and had a double total knee replacement 3 1/2 months ago. I knew it was going to be hard work, but it’s been an agonizing winter. My Dr opted to do an early manipulation when I could only get 90 degree flex.
The manipulation allowed me to get to 125 degrees, but progressively my flex lessened even though I did daily, brutal PT. After being treated like a failure by my surgeon and enduring screaming crying PT sessions, I opted to go with a gentler approach. I’m praying I’m making the right decision as everyone has scared the crap out of me that I have a limited time before scar tissue can’t be moved.
I see a massage therapist twice a week who specializes in lymphatic drainage and a PT person who doesn’t force my knees to bend, but has me use gravity to improve flex and strength. I also use theCMS machine even though studies say they don’t help.
Ok- that was a long winded intro to ask if anyone has ever used the pulsating massagers that supposedly can break up scar tissue . Thinking about getting one, but seems to good to be true.

I’m 53 and had a double total knee replacement 3 1/2 months ago. I knew it was going to be hard work, but it’s been an agonizing winter. My Dr opted to do an early manipulation when I could only get 90 degree flex.
The manipulation allowed me to get to 125 degrees, but progressively my flex lessened even though I did daily, brutal PT. After being treated like a failure by my surgeon and enduring screaming crying PT sessions, I opted to go with a gentler approach. I’m praying I’m making the right decision as everyone has scared the crap out of me that I have a limited time before scar tissue can’t be moved.
I see a massage therapist twice a week who specializes in lymphatic drainage and a PT person who doesn’t force my knees to bend, but has me use gravity to improve flex and strength. I also use theCMS machine even though studies say they don’t help.
Ok- that was a long winded intro to ask if anyone has ever used the pulsating massagers that supposedly can break up scar tissue . Thinking about getting one, but seems to good to be true.

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.

ReplY