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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@lkinny

That's a pretty good flexion and perfect extension. There are various reasons for trouble with flexion; I think there are many of us here who can tell you our shock at being a year out and still not reaching the flexion we expected. 115 is about my max - very disappointing. But I am much more stable and able to do more things with less pain than before.

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I am 11 weeks PO and was released from PT yesterday due to insurance running out. I’m only at 111/0 and know that I can live with that if only the pain would subside. You can too!

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@lkinny

That's a pretty good flexion and perfect extension. There are various reasons for trouble with flexion; I think there are many of us here who can tell you our shock at being a year out and still not reaching the flexion we expected. 115 is about my max - very disappointing. But I am much more stable and able to do more things with less pain than before.

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@lkinny all is too true. I too am stuck at 115 a year and a half after my TKR, but it really does not impact me much, and the knee is pain free except for typical pain after lengthy exercise. Then my whole leg up is tired and achy. I can walk so much further than I could before so that is good. When I had my checkup with my surgeon in December we talked about a possible lysis, but I don’t think it’s worth going through all of that again. His comment was that if I lived in Japan I might have a problem.
JK

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@gobigorgohome

Sherman, Golfing at 3 months. That sounds pretty good to me! I’ll be very happy if I can get out on the course in 3 months. And, I’m only 67. You’ve helped raise my expectations.

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I just went back to my first easy yoga class after 14 weeks, and it felt great. I can kneel on a blanket. I feel like I'm turning that corner now. Just give it as much time as it needs to heal and you'll be on the comeback trail.

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I’m almost 3 months post op and my knee feels very tight every move I make I have to push thru Spider-Man’s web. I keep progressing because my daughter had both knees done 5 years ago is very happy she did it but claims “it’s a journey mom, your tough and you just have to keep working it. “ Motion is location.” So I just keep breaking the tape or spider webs.
You will do good when you know it’s the course for some patients even though some of my male friends do not experience this and don’t know what I’m talking about.

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@shermann

I’m almost 3 months post op and my knee feels very tight every move I make I have to push thru Spider-Man’s web. I keep progressing because my daughter had both knees done 5 years ago is very happy she did it but claims “it’s a journey mom, your tough and you just have to keep working it. “ Motion is location.” So I just keep breaking the tape or spider webs.
You will do good when you know it’s the course for some patients even though some of my male friends do not experience this and don’t know what I’m talking about.

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I’m 3 months out and am dealing with the same thing. It’s so frustrating and the pain/soreness is off the charts on some days. I really thought I’d be doing better than I am this far out but life had other plans. You’re definitely not alone. Hang in there!

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@dkapustin

I’m 3 months out and am dealing with the same thing. It’s so frustrating and the pain/soreness is off the charts on some days. I really thought I’d be doing better than I am this far out but life had other plans. You’re definitely not alone. Hang in there!

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Just wondered I would like advice. I am 1 year post TKR, my flexion is 90 degrees today. I have paid privately to see a physio at work who instantly diagnosed me as having CRPS. What should I do? Physio may help, should I pay to see a pain specialist

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@gator1965

Just wondered I would like advice. I am 1 year post TKR, my flexion is 90 degrees today. I have paid privately to see a physio at work who instantly diagnosed me as having CRPS. What should I do? Physio may help, should I pay to see a pain specialist

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Hi @gator1965 -- sorry to hear about the difficulty and the pain. I'm not sure how much the doctor explained to you about CRPS but there is some information on Mayo Clinic site here that may provide some help in deciding what approach to take.

Complex regional pain syndrome
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371156

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@johnbishop

Hi @gator1965 -- sorry to hear about the difficulty and the pain. I'm not sure how much the doctor explained to you about CRPS but there is some information on Mayo Clinic site here that may provide some help in deciding what approach to take.

Complex regional pain syndrome
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371156

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Thank you for this. No surgeon never explained this to me. But I am where I am now. Any contacts in the UK?

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@gator1965

Thank you for this. No surgeon never explained this to me. But I am where I am now. Any contacts in the UK?

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@rmeddings

Almost two years after bilateral TK surgery, I still have constant burning pain, and sleepless nights. I've tried every suggestion my surgeon, and pain Dr have suggested, to no avail. I would like to get a second opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon. However ,no one wants to see me. Anyone suggestions, as to how I might accompolished this ?? I am really desperate for help.

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Hi rmeddings - this will sound totally amateurish and I do not quite understand your burning pain. I have had 2 TKR and both went very well and "relatively" easy recovery. Still working on the second one ( I have sorness and mild pain when standing up from a sitting position and I am concerned about that) - I am thinking the kneecap is rubbing???). But as far as sleeping, I found sleeping in a chair (watching television) meant I had no pain at night. It was great.
Half way through the night I would get up and go to bed - and THAT IS WHEN THE LEG ACHES would come. So then I would go back to the chair. I found it to be a helpful option for getting through the night.

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