← Return to Scar tissue after knee replacement

Discussion

Scar tissue after knee replacement

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Apr 22 9:03am | Replies (1521)

Comment receiving replies
@dduke

There is something wrong. Arthrofibrosis. You have massive scar tissue surrounding your knee. You need arthroscopic lysis. I had the procedure as did several on this site. It made all the difference.
Arthrofibrosis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arthrofibrosis (from Greek: arthro- joint, fibr- fibrous and -osis abnormality) is a complication of injury or trauma where an excessive scar tissue response leads to painful restriction of joint motion, with scar tissue forming within the joint and surrounding soft tissue spaces and persisting despite rehabilitation exercises and stretches. Scarring adhesions has been described in most major joints, including knees, shoulders, hips, ankles, and wrists as well as spinal vertebrae.[1][2]
Arthrofibrosis of the knee[edit]
Arthrofibrosis of the knee has been one of the more studied joints as a result of its frequency of occurrence.[3][4] Beyond origins such as knee injury and trauma, arthrofibrosis of the knee has been associated with degenerative arthritis.[5] Scar tissues can cause structures of the knee to become contracted, restricting normal motion. Depending on the site of scarring, knee cap mobility and/or joint range of motion (i.e. flexion, extension, or both) may be affected.[6] Symptoms experienced as a result of arthrofibrosis of the knee include stiffness, pain, limping, heat, swelling, crepitus, and/or weakness.[4] Clinical diagnosis may also include the use of magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) to visualize the knee compartments affected.[7]
The consequent pain may lead to the cascade of quadriceps weakness, patellar tendon adaptive shortening and scarring in the tissues around the knee cap—with an end stage of permanent patella infera—where the knee cap is pulled down into an abnormal position where it becomes vulnerable to joint surface damage.[8]
Patients who are recognized as developing arthrofibrosis may improve motion with appropriately directed physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and cryotherapy. In many instances, however, as fibrosis has set in, surgical intervention is necessary.
Specialized arthroscopic lysis of adhesions knee procedures such as anterior interval releases may be indicated and utilized to great success, in the hands of an appropriately trained specialist.[5]

Jump to this post


Replies to "There is something wrong. Arthrofibrosis. You have massive scar tissue surrounding your knee. You need arthroscopic..."

As I wrote to gator 1965, 2 orthopedic surgeons suggested I have this surgery to remove scar tissue. They have had success with this, but not always, my original doc, who did the replacement does not do this procedure as he feels u run the risk of getting more scar tissue. Anyone have any data or thoughts on this ? Thanx!!!