Scar tissue after knee replacement

Wow. All I can say is wow. Why can’t they find a drug to stop the scar tissue. Dumb question. I know I can’t break thru mine. It feels like metal guitar strings wrapped all around my knee, in all directions. It feels like it’s beneath the skin, not in the joint cavity like some of the videos I watched on the internet. So I assume it was a closed procedure. I’ve read about the open one. Just awful. How did you make it all these days with no progress? I’m going crazy. One day at a time. I know patience. So you had a stationary bike? Guess I should look into one. I can’t make it around yet. I thank you so much. You have given me hope.

Hi, I have had 2 knee replacements one back in 1992, another 1996. I have had 24 knee operations due to football. 6 or 7 were scopes. When I had my first knee replacement I Tons of scar tissue like you went to PT and did nothing to remove scar tissue. Both my knees had a full range of motion. Had 2nd Knee replacement same problem. I had shoulder surgery Doc tried to do manipulation on both my knees while I was out for my shoulder surgery. He could not get them to move at all. Both knees are almost completely frozen now with 10 deg range of motion. My scar tissue just grows so fast. I'm in a lot of pain due to my scar tissue. Knee replacements are solid and are not lose. I tried to get into to see many doctors and they would not touch my knees. It really sucks.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, I have had 2 knee replacements one back in 1992, another 1996. I have had 24 knee operations due to football. 6 or 7 were scopes. When I had my first knee replacement I Tons of scar tissue like you went to PT and did nothing to remove scar tissue. Both my knees had a full range of motion. Had 2nd Knee replacement same problem. I had shoulder surgery Doc tried to do manipulation on both my knees while I was out for my shoulder surgery. He could not get them to move at all. Both knees are almost completely frozen now with 10 deg range of motion. My scar tissue just grows so fast. I'm in a lot of pain due to my scar tissue. Knee replacements are solid and are not lose. I tried to get into to see many doctors and they would not touch my knees. It really sucks.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow.. @bamasaban3601 - I am so sorry to hear about your limited range of motion. I know that must be so discouraging. I had two TKR's and thankfully did not have the issues of scar tissue, but even without that, the recovery was challenging enough. I can't imagine just 10 degrees of flexion. Are the doctors giving you any recommendations - surgery, PT?

It was a closed procedure. You can convert an existing street bike with a $50 stand on Amazon or build one with 2 x 4's. It really helps to have the bike. Whenever I feel it tight, I can bike for 15 minutes.

I had to wait six months before arthrolysis. My DR. was concerned about infection. Outpatient, lasted about two hours because there was so much scar tissue. Aggressive PT (I even used my exercise bike for 10 minutes every three hours, set the alarm during the night). I had an MUA scheduled, Dr. wanted to scope me and if he found a lot of scar tissue he would perform lysis. Well, he found a lot of scar tissue and told my wife, while I was still under, that there was no way I would have broken through all that myself. Got 110 right away, had to work hard to get to 120. Some of the scar tissue has come back after a year.

Are you happy with the results of your arthrolysis procedure? I too am severely impacted by excessive scar tissue in both knees three years post TKR. I have tried laser treatments with no relief and have revisited PT twice after my initial recovery, but the scar tissue comes back stronger and tighter than ever. I just consulted with an Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating failed knee replacements but after he reviewed my history and examined my knees he said that he did not recommend undergoing lysis because everything in my knees was normal except for the scar tissue and undergoing lysis increased the risk of infection and the fact that the scar tissue would probably return following a lysis procedure. My scar tissue has severely limited my range of motion and causes constant pain, so I really don’t want to accept my current condition as the best I can hope for!

Hi there .... yes, I've had scar tissue develop also. It developed slowly over time, but by the time I hit the 1 year mark, my surgeon went in - arthroscopically - and cleaned it up. But, it never was right, and in another year I had to have a revision - a totally new replacement. Since then, my knee could not be any better. I don't know why this happens to some and not to others ... but after several other options had been tried, including the arthroscopic surgery, I opted to just do the revision .... I'm glad I did.
abby