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Scar tissue after knee replacement
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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I have only had one session where I learned that a lot of my scar tissue in my leg is not new. It formed the past few years that I had delayed surgery and favored my good knee. The scar tissue related to the knee replacement is new. The doctor treating me told me I needed to get rid of the swelling before she could really tackle the scar tissue so she went pretty gentle the first session. It was not painful. She rolled a heavy plastic piece of equipment gently over my entire leg - both front and back of the leg - from ankle to thigh. She did indicate that she would gradually rub that tool deeper and deeper into the tissue to break up the scar tissue on subsequent sessions. After that session she put me on an ice machine where ice cold water ran thru a leg wrap that was also a compression wrap to assist in reducing swelling. Let me get a few more sessions under my belt and I will get back with you to let you know how it is going.
Great Keep us all informed my scar tissue has been bothering me for a year and a half
Hi I know this post to u is after a year, but your story is quite similar to mine so thought I’d ask
I had a tkr in March 2018 , I’ve had 2 manipulations, didn’t help, I use a jas splint to manually crank my knee into a bend do PT etc
I don’t seem to be getting better, bend still ab 90. I used to be very active , Tennis etc. I’m 67
U said it took more time , so I’m wondering if u eventually got a better rom.
Thanx
I am in the same position as you. Only my surgeon completed the one manipulation and 3 months later went and completed arthroscopic arthrolysis and debridment of left knee. This was just over 2 weeks ago, I was unable to bend the knee until Wednesday last week. I can now bend to 90 degrees
@mylynn, I am happy to report that eventually I did get a ROM of 0-115ish. I ended up popping the scar tissue loose on my own once I knew I was recovered and just forced myself to be active. Stick with it. I was not aggressive enough in my PT and I backed off on it which did not help my cause. I allowed my self to get discouraged. In all, it probably took me 18 months from the initial surgery, to the two manipulations, through the crank brace, and then eventually finding my 'new normal' after popping the scar tissue loose playing catch football with my friends. I definitely learned not everyone heals or makes progress at the same speed, and at 7 months post-op, I think you still have some room for improvement! @mylynn, how are you doing with pain & swelling?
Thanx for your reply . I don’t have much swelling anymore but do have pain. I do my own pt at this point as blew thru insurance. I do stationary bike and tons of bending strengthening exercises but don’t see any improvement, used to play tennis and really miss it.
So am discouraged !!
Just thought of another ? What does popping your knee mean and do u think it can be replicated by a doc under anesthesia
Thanx again!!!
Is that basically arthroscopic surgery and I hope it gives you relief
I’m curious to know if you stay scar free and can continue to bend
The most recent surgery was arthroscopic, which is not routinely offered on the NHS.
I am working hard to keep the movement in my knee, yesterday in hydrotherapy I managed +5 -90 degrees. The flexion is the best it has been since the knee replacement in April. I haven't seen any improvement in the flexion over the last week, however it hasn't got any worse, so a positive I think! The stinging and burning sensation is still there, I guess I will have to put up with this for now. Not sure how long it will take until full movement is back, surgeon says 8 weeks, physio says 6-12 months. I still walk with a limp and have done for nearly 2 years, not sure how to resolve this as physio advises one way and the surgeon another way. I am so confused!
@mylynn, by popping, I meant that I landed on my leg funny and felt a 'pop' in the knee. Over the next few days I gained more ROM. My guess is that I popped some of the scar tissue loose enough to give me some ROM. I am not sure of what exactly happened, but thankful that it did. This was many months after the initial surgery and after the two manipulations.