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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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mylynn | @mylynn | Sep 19, 2018
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @leithlane, welcome to Connect. This is an experience very close to my own. I had..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

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?

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Since you accidentally fell did your scar tissue ever grow back?

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mylynn | @mylynn | Sep 19, 2018
In reply to @dduke "My Dr. scoped me and found massive scar tissue. He arthroscopically cut out the scar fjssue...." + (show)
@dduke

My Dr. scoped me and found massive scar tissue. He arthroscopically cut out the scar fjssue. That has been huge in my recovery.

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But does scar tissue grow back after doc goes in?

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mylynn | @mylynn | Sep 19, 2018
In reply to @golfshrink "It’s still super early and your recovery. How is your range of motion? I’m still making..." + (show)
@golfshrink

It’s still super early and your recovery. How is your range of motion? I’m still making progress at eight months, particularly with the tightness in my knees. I am curious about the Lazer however to see if It can further help with scar tissue

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I still have scar tissue, stiffness and pain but I did use a jas splint that was ordered. Sit in it at home , keeps knee in a bend that you control how tight. It helped some

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1 reply
mickie75 | @mickie75 | Sep 19, 2018
In reply to @mylynn "I still have scar tissue, stiffness and pain but I did use a jas splint that..." + (show)
@mylynn

I still have scar tissue, stiffness and pain but I did use a jas splint that was ordered. Sit in it at home , keeps knee in a bend that you control how tight. It helped some

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Hi mylin,
I still have stiffness, swelling and heat and still have a problem bending my knee. Going up and down steps is problematic. I did therapy for almost 10 months and I finally stopped. It was becoming more irritated and inflamed. Decided to work on my own, and I feel like I am
Improving. Can get in and out of SUVs without too
much trouble. Interested in the splint as my leg knee s crooked and Zi think that might help with the bend and hopefully help it to straighten. Did your doc order it ? Thanks for your help.

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1 reply
babette | @babette | Sep 19, 2018
In reply to @mickie75 "Hi mylin, I still have stiffness, swelling and heat and still have a problem bending my..." + (show)
@mickie75

Hi mylin,
I still have stiffness, swelling and heat and still have a problem bending my knee. Going up and down steps is problematic. I did therapy for almost 10 months and I finally stopped. It was becoming more irritated and inflamed. Decided to work on my own, and I feel like I am
Improving. Can get in and out of SUVs without too
much trouble. Interested in the splint as my leg knee s crooked and Zi think that might help with the bend and hopefully help it to straighten. Did your doc order it ? Thanks for your help.

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@mickie75 Sorry to hear you're having trouble. Were you ever able to straighten your leg? My PT consists of a lot of things, but range of motion, including a perfectly flat leg while standing and lying down are priorities. It's painful, but seems to be working. Glad you're improving on your own! This is a very variable recovery, isn't it ... some "recover" so quickly and others seem to take forever. They say one year, I guess.

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1 reply
mylynn | @mylynn | Sep 19, 2018
In reply to @crazedredhead55 "I had a RTKR in April 2018. My the end of May, I had so much..." + (show)
@crazedredhead55

I had a RTKR in April 2018. My the end of May, I had so much scar tissue that I couldn’t even get up from a seated position ir extend my leg without excruciating pain and crepitus. Scar tissue had frozen my patella, and the ROM was nearly non existent. Had an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions yesterday, and actually feel better despite the surgical pain and swelling. Now on a mission to find out what caused the problem and keep it from happening again!

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Just read your post and curious if your scar tissue came back since the arthroscopic procedure, hopefully not

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3 replies
briard | @briard | Sep 21, 2018

better be ready to think 2 years of recovery - it has been 2 years for me and I am not quite where I want to be - - -

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1 reply
crazedredhead55 | @crazedredhead55 | Sep 21, 2018
In reply to @mylynn "Just read your post and curious if your scar tissue came back since the arthroscopic procedure,..." + (show)
@mylynn

Just read your post and curious if your scar tissue came back since the arthroscopic procedure, hopefully not

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It’s been two months, and I haven’t noticed a return of scar tissue. Hoping the trend continues!

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crazedredhead55 | @crazedredhead55 | Sep 21, 2018
In reply to @briard "better be ready to think 2 years of recovery - it has been 2 years for..." + (show)
@briard

better be ready to think 2 years of recovery - it has been 2 years for me and I am not quite where I want to be - - -

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That is actually beginning to sound realistic! I’m finishing my fifth month of PT....

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1 reply
kneeproblem | @kneeproblem | Sep 22, 2018
In reply to @crazedredhead55 "That is actually beginning to sound realistic! I’m finishing my fifth month of PT...." + (show)
@crazedredhead55

That is actually beginning to sound realistic! I’m finishing my fifth month of PT....

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Yes it is I did 13 weeks of therapy 3 to 4 times a week very disheartening

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