Scar tissue after knee replacement

I am 8 months out from my TKR and am having the scar tissue removal surgery on 11/28. I have a history of generating too much scar tissue so I suspect my issue is genetic. Ive been researching since August I’ve have one surgeon recommend the arthroscopic removal and one say to to a total revision. From the tons of research I’ve done, if you choose the arthroscopic procedure you have to also know that the PT will be immediate and intense to prevent more scar tissue. The revision is a last resort.

Hi
It seems u know quite a bit ab this scar tissue, was wondering if u have any knowledge of why some people are more prone to get it? I’ve been trying to look up some info but very little seems to be know about it. I myself have mild psoriasis and now thinking this may be related , any thoughts on this?
Thanx

I am 8 months out from my TKR and am having the scar tissue removal surgery on 11/28. I have a history of generating too much scar tissue so I suspect my issue is genetic. Ive been researching since August I’ve have one surgeon recommend the arthroscopic removal and one say to to a total revision. From the tons of research I’ve done, if you choose the arthroscopic procedure you have to also know that the PT will be immediate and intense to prevent more scar tissue. The revision is a last resort.

My physio at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, advises that they put patients straight in the hydrotherapy pool following a TKR, certainly I would have benefited from this in my case. They simply apply a waterproof dressing. They advised me that there is little chance of infection as the water is highly chlorinated. After my arthroscopic arthrolysis and debridment of the knee I was in the pool within 36 hours of the surgery.

Like you I did not like icing my knee as it caused a burning type of pain, and still does 7 months following my TKR. I prefer a gel heat pad, it provides pain relief for me.

@sdhkkjmz New to group. Healing takes so much longer than we think it'll be. I did bilateral 8 mos.ago. I'm having intense tendon pain behind knee esp after exercise, if anyone has thoughts ... Anyway, for those with ROM issues , read below, there's a great - really great -- option to look into. Pain-killers: I needed for long time. Percocet was useless, get a stronger pain reliever, the strongest you can! But... you are ONLY 2 weeks post op ! You need a few months to evaluate how you are. I was lucky to get into rehab facility with good PT for 2 weeks ... but various levels of pain continued for a long while from multiple sources. Sleep was difficult (sleep aid is helping). I don't think your scar tissue is building up at this point. Here are a couple ideas. Water exercise (with lots of bending) has been good (it's a bit too early for you, due to wound). For you at this early point, I'd work on the ROM a lot now. And I used an amazing machine to help do that. X-10 machine. It's not a CPM, I found that horrible. The testimonials are true. It's not covered by insurance except in Michigan, and it's hard to get a machine (rent) bec there's so much demand, but it was worth every penny. You sit comfortably, it gently moves your leg; you control the slight increases (each day you improve); most people get to full ROM quickly. (My PT was so amazed at how I was doing that they totally slacked off with me - with bad consequences now). The say the best time to use X-10 is a week or 2 post op. Can't recommend it enough.

i get intense pain behind knee at top of calf, believed to be the gastrocnemius muscle being too tight awaiting biomechanics for insoles due to over rotated ankles and flat feet. which l have always had but no one considers when making drastic changes to my posture as hypermobilie. i now have one knee that’s 10 degrees off straight and one that’s -10 straight hypermobilie x

Hi @bizzarebird1 - sounds as if you are having a difficult recovery. I think I remember you saying earlier that you were supposed to return to work in October? Were you able to do that? I'm wishing you the best. That intense knee pain is not easy to live with.

i had to wait until week 8 for hydrotherapy and it’s such as shame as the progress in water is exceptional i am planning on getting in pool asap with right knee next year

no my MUA was not until 13/10/18 so i couldn’t go back. my employer has just issued me with a written warning for sickness absence so it’s all very up in the air. with my right knee being replaced in march l am still on crutches and struggling so not good! pain isn’t too bad on replaced knee, non replaced knee is more troublesome pain wise! numbness in replaced knee is whole knee so walking is very different experience