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Scar tissue after knee replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Oct 10 8:31am | Replies (1550)Comment receiving replies
Hi, I am 9 weeks from left tkr and have had little to no flexion (maybe got to 60 once forced by pt). My leg is virtually stick straight. Doc says arthrofibrosis and I must wait for 6 months post op for scar tissue removal. I can feel the tight bands, tight wires, and nets around my knee and down into my calf. Sometimes the scar tissue feels like it could tighten hard enough to turn my leg in the other direction. I have so much pain. This is so long to be inactive. My quads will be lost. I’m losing hope. Can aggressive scar tissue formation be linked to autoimmune disorders? I have diagnosed Sjögren’s syndrome by the antibodies, fibromyalgia, and always elevated esr. If so many of us get this aggressive scar tissue there must be some reason for it and then some hope. I keep scouring the Internet. Please keep fighting.
Replies to "Hi, I am 9 weeks from left tkr and have had little to no flexion (maybe..."
Hi @katp - I'm sorry to hear about your scar tissue. It must be terribly discouraging. Although I had 2 TKRs, I'm thankful I didn't have the issue of scar tissue. Do you know why you have to wait 6 months? Also, I'm curious about what procedure they are going to use to remove the scar tissue. Have you already had a manipulation under anesthesia?
Do you have a good Rheumatologist treating you now? If not, get one!
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Hi @katp and welcome to Connect.
I’m sorry to hear about the pain you are in from scar tissue. I have had two TKRs and did not experience this. I may have some scar tissue, my flex never reached the desired number, but it has not been painful.
It must be discouraging to have to wait six months before you can get some relief. I hope when that does happen that you will get the relief that you need. I have no idea if this can be linked to autoimmune conditions.
JK