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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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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 6, 2019
In reply to @3737 "5 knee operations, 3 knee replacements resulting in severe scar tissue/ nerve damage." + (show)
@3737

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

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@3737 Oh my word, you really have had knee problems. What is being advised at this point? I am so sorry to hear you are in pain still. I truly hope that it's not too late for a doctor to help you and rid you of the pain. Keep us up to date on it, please.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 6, 2019
In reply to @tims1224 "@ I read amberpep's post I have a very similar result. My knee was hurting really..." + (show)
@tims1224

@ I read amberpep's post I have a very similar result. My knee was hurting really bad 13 months after my total knee replacement.The knee was keeping me up at night The doctor performed an arthroscopy and cleaned all the scar tissue he could. It helped some as I could sleep at night. I am still in a lot of pain. I have not been excercising as much due to the weather being terrible. Should keep on exercising, or look a having surgery again?

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@tims1224 Has the doctor mentioned what the next step would be if you need the doctor to intervene? Since you have had an arthroscopy already I think that I personally would try exercising a bit longer, but I also would check with my doctor and/or physical therapist. If you can't damage the knee by continuing to exercise it, and if you won't lose a window of time when the doctor could do something, you have nothing to lose.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 6, 2019
In reply to @kneeproblem "I am 11 months out still walk with a terrible stiff knee and can not sleep..." + (show)
@kneeproblem

I am 11 months out still walk with a terrible stiff knee and can not sleep at night I go to the gym every day walk and ride bike and do water exercises but still no relief my surgeon just laughs at me and keeps saying it will get better , I am trying another surgeon but no one will see me around here until 1 year after surgery date and get released from him

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@kneeproblem Not much time to wait if other surgeons will see you at one year. I think that's a great idea, to get another opinion. Make sure you pick the best possible orthopedist that you can find. I hope the new surgeon will be able to give you some help. Having discomfort for that long is no picnic.
JK

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damewocane | @damewocane | Mar 7, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@damewocane I hope this surgeon will be able to help you. Living in pain is really..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@damewocane I hope this surgeon will be able to help you. Living in pain is really miserable. I am sure that if you find the right doctor he/she will be able to figure this out and give you relief.
Let us know how the appointment goes.
JK

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My new Dr is quite scientific and has sent me for blood tests for myalgia. No operation can be considered if there is any infection in my huge ugly knee. He twisted it in every way possible to see my pathetic ROM and I came home in greater pain and ache -the kind where you feel you are going to throw up. I have a follow up with his PA in 2 weeks.

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 7, 2019
In reply to @damewocane "My new Dr is quite scientific and has sent me for blood tests for myalgia. No..." + (show)
@damewocane

My new Dr is quite scientific and has sent me for blood tests for myalgia. No operation can be considered if there is any infection in my huge ugly knee. He twisted it in every way possible to see my pathetic ROM and I came home in greater pain and ache -the kind where you feel you are going to throw up. I have a follow up with his PA in 2 weeks.

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@damewocane Just reading this made my stomach lurch! There should be another button here that you can click on to say you don't like, or UGH!
JK

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Mar 7, 2019
In reply to @damewocane "My new Dr is quite scientific and has sent me for blood tests for myalgia. No..." + (show)
@damewocane

My new Dr is quite scientific and has sent me for blood tests for myalgia. No operation can be considered if there is any infection in my huge ugly knee. He twisted it in every way possible to see my pathetic ROM and I came home in greater pain and ache -the kind where you feel you are going to throw up. I have a follow up with his PA in 2 weeks.

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Hi @damewocane - I agree with @contentandwell - I physically winced when I read your post about twisting your knee. I am feeling for you. Does anything help - icing it? getting on the bike? massage? I don't know if you've seen this thread but you may want to check out some alternative therapies:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cold-laser-therapy-for-scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header
Wishing you the best. Please keep us posted.

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1 reply
rjas44 | @rjas44 | Mar 7, 2019
In reply to @charliez22 "Hello all, I had a TKR of my left knee 4 months ago. I am stuck..." + (show)
@charliez22

Hello all, I had a TKR of my left knee 4 months ago. I am stuck at about 95 degrees flexion. I have very sharp pain behind the knee when trying to bend past that. The MRI shows a very swollen Popiteal muscle, but my doctor says this is unusual and isn't quite sure what is causing this sharp pain. I was taken out of p.t. and just resumed it again. The pain sometimes is on the outer side of the knee as well. Has anyone experienced this sharp pain behind the Knee? This is really prohibiting the ability to bend the stupid knee! I have crazy tightness across the knee as well. I'm guessing scar tissue is the cause? Unfortunately, I have a bad ankle/foot on the opposite side too, it makes walking a challenge. I knew the recovery would be harder due to my limitations, I'm just frustrated, upset and hoping for a positive turn around. This site is great, the info I've read from everyone is so helpful. So, anyone with this behind the knee pain PLEASE...id love any info you have. Thank you

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Hello. I am new to the forum and i still 2 yrs later experience sharp behind the knee and the outer part of my knee as well. Hasn't gotten better nor has it gotten worse since surgery. I've done 3 stints of rehab and now starting number 4. I have no idea what's wrong nor does the 3 surgeons I've had look at it for different opinions. I am not ready for a revision but they said its an option. Quite frustrated at this point.

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1 reply
babette | @babette | Mar 7, 2019

@rjas44 I'm sorry to hear your going though so much 2 years out! Have any of your surgeons taken MRIs? I don't see MRIs referred to a lot on this forum, but I would think they would be essential to seeing all soft tissue. I hope you find relief soon.

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rjas44 | @rjas44 | Mar 7, 2019

Hi Babette and Thank you for your reply. Surprisingly no they have not. I was told it would be inconclusive by my original OS due to the metal used for the knee. I have an appt. 3/29/19 with the 3rd OS and will pose that question again because I have thought it could really tell a story but I'm not the OS.

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babette | @babette | Mar 7, 2019

I think I'll start a new thread about TKRs and MRIs. Thanks for your response and good luck with your appointment.

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