Scar tissue after knee replacement

I first watched a webinar from the Mayo Clinic on stem cells and how it works for arthritis and knees etc. I then bumped into a friend who had his knee done with stem cells and he was very happy with it. I did not want another tkr because of what i went through on my first one. In fact my surgeon, 6 years later, thinks i should redo the first one. If i had a do over i would have not had the first one.
Back to stem cells. I had my MRI and my surgeon wanted to do a tkr on that one. I took my chance on stem cells. They took the cells and fat from the hip, mixed it with my blood for three hours and then injected them into my knee. I laid around 2 weeks. , watched tv, read books, took no pain pills and then the adventure begins. Felt good, then pain, repeat. Meanwhile i had my back done with stem cells and its been 3 years and pain is gone.
Back to the knee. I did PT on the left leg and wore my stem cell brace every day. I followed up the stem cells a year later with PRP which is an injection of blood designed to take care of the arthritis. That really worked. I have not worn my brace and i garden and play golf, but no tennis. PRP is designed for a once a year if needed injection.
I also studied stem cells and what is going on in the industry. I advise anyone to read up on stem cells with Mayo, Regenexx , who i used. They have been very helpful. That is who my Dr studied , and they have a tremendous amount of information on what is good and what is bad in the profession. Bad actors out there who are using dead stem cells from babies and charging a lot of money.
In Toledo we are seeing more companies insurance paying for Regenexx stem sells. What i like about Regenexx is you can read up on their research, read about what success their patients are having and also where they are located. They are close to me so i did not want to travel to Mayo.
Now i read where Drs say it does not work. Who are the Drs? are they examining the research being done ? I know of Drs who hold seminars on stem cells, buy the dead stem cells and inject them and charge a high fee. Nurses, chiropractors etc have opened up shop and people are not aware and then have no luck.
I was examined by the Dr and he said i had a chance for it to work. It has. i have to be careful when i am out on ice and snow as i did twist it, back to the brace, but feeling good again.
What is interesting is to read the web and talk to the people on line at Regenexx. I signed up for weekly newsletters. My regular Dr is now sending his patients to Dr Kruse. Yes, some times it does not work. My tennis friend had it done and played tennis that night. Another one was shopping the next day. WRONG. Follow the advice.
Finally my current tkr was bad from the beginning. I worked out in water and the knee swelled, the knee has remained swollen for 6 years and now the surgeon says he thinks it loose. If the next one does not work, what is next , amputation? So i work on both legs three days a week. I am 77 by the way but feel younger.
So , do your homework, investigate on line and go to the professionals. It is expensive but i wish i had a do over for my tkr. I read about those who have had success and i am envious. I also read of those who suffer like i have. Good luck to all. Questions , let me know.

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5 knee operations, 3 knee replacements resulting in severe scar tissue/ nerve damage.

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5 knee operations, 3 knee replacements resulting in severe scar tissue/ nerve damage.

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Hi @3737 - Welcome to Connect! Sounds like you have had more than your share of knee problems. I can relate. I just had my 2nd knee replacement last month. Things seem to be going pretty well for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and doing my PT. How long ago was your surgery? Are you still doing PT? Hoping all goes well and wishing you the best.

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Hi, I'm 44 I just had a makoplasty, a partial knee replacememt on my left knee, I cant get it to bend past 70 degrees and its 2 and a half weeks out of surgery, I've been reading posts and it seems like some people make scar tissue more than others. Is there a way to fond out if that is the problem?
My surgeon said at the 5 week mark if I cant move it to 90 degrees he will put me under and manipulate it, that scares me though...

What is that like? Is it painful? Can you continue moving it when you wake up? Will you just make more scar tissue ?

I should be more aggressive at home but it hurts, it does not want to bend, the pain upon bending is enormous and then straightening it out is bad.

I can straighten my knee to negative 4 degrees which they tell me is good, it's just the bending that has me in a panic.

** also how mong does it take to be able to passively bend the knee ...? They can push it painfully to 80 degrees but I cant just sit down at 70 or 80 I sit at like 40 or 60 degrees.

Also how long till I'm off I'm Walker?

ANY advice help or stories or explanations would be so grateful. I am terrified i made a mistake by doing this surgery and now I'll never bend my knee or be in constant pain or jave multiple surgeries.

I really cant go through another SURGERY

Thanks,

Deb

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Hi @dsoda - Welcome to Connect! There are lots of people here with great experience to share. I'm wondering how long ago was your partial knee replacement? If it was just a short time, I think you can look forward to great improvement. I'm also wondering what kind of pain meds you are taking? For me, it was important to take my pain meds before PT - otherwise it hurt too much to really accomplish anything. I've heard some people who tried to get off the pain meds too soon and they regretted it later when PT didn't work as well.

I just had a total knee replacement in January and the difference between my flex & extension leaving the hospital vs. now after one month is major. I'm at 128 degrees flexion, but I'll say this - there are a lot of people on this forum who never even get to 120 but end up being perfectly comfortable with getting around and doing their regular activities. Also, you asked about use of the walker, I was off the walker in my 2nd week when I started using a cane. At this point, I'm walking around the house w/o the cane, but I use it when I go outside or in the evenings when my knee is more tired.

Here is an article about manipulation under anesthesia (MUA).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/orthopedic-surgery/news/animal-models-aid-study-of-arthrofibrosis-after-tka/mac-20429402

I'm hoping you feel better every day. Best of luck.

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