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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Katp,
I also could not take oxy at night. Try Tylenol PM.

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@sandie2749

I agree with dkapustin, I think all these drs only care about their wrk. I had a knee replacement nine weeks ago my knee is doing well however I have had to go to Pain Management, go to the blood dr my primary care and have been in therapy for nine weeks. I developed high blood platelets, sciatica and my foot is totally numb at the bottom of the operative leg . And all these decks keep passing it to somebody else. The pain is excruciating they don’t want to give you meds for the pain and they to keep telling me that it takes a while. My sister had two replacements done and her knees are amazing and no pain’t or issues. I just don’t know what to do anymore going for shots tomorrow for sciatica and if this doesn’t work I’m out of options

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Have you tried a good chiropractor? I stress good! Not all are.

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@dkapustin

Man, I though the same thing. I kept hearing people say, "don't compare yourself to others" but I just couldn't resist. People claiming that on day 4 after the surgery they were walking around the block and I was struggling to get to the bathroom. Week 2 and they were out having lunch and running errands. I almost fainted from agony riding in the car to get my stitches out and then almost fainted after taking a shower. LOL If there is one thing I've leaned, that is everyone really is different when it comes to this surgery. I don't know if its just the persons body or if its the surgeon or a combination of both. I'm a little over 6 months PO and still have a tremendous amount of discomfort and some days pain. My knee functions well ( I haven't had it measured since I was discharged from PT and I am not a fan of focusing on the numbers, the ROM can change in a day) but I'm not happy with the amount of discomfort I'm feeling. I'm giving it more time before seeking a second opinion. Seems like surgeons just care if it looks good on the outside (functions well) they aren't that interested in how you're actually feeling. 🙂

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@dkapustin I’m sorry to hear you are still having issues. I think you’re smart to not focus on the numbers. When I went to PT I had my flex measured and it was less than the flex on my other knee which was done about six years ago. The strange thing is that functionally the knee with less measured flex seems to work better!

@katp I hope the second opinion is helpful. I’m like you, those opioids keep me awake! I’m glad I’m not the only odd one.

@doodles418 Your suggestions are great in theory but more difficult to actually practice. I’m going through a lot of pain right now from a femur fracture and even though I appreciate how good my life is overall, I do get depressed by the pain, and knowing I will not be doing very well for my son’s wedding in August. When you are really hurting it’s very difficult to rationalize.
JK

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@contentandwell

@dkapustin I’m sorry to hear you are still having issues. I think you’re smart to not focus on the numbers. When I went to PT I had my flex measured and it was less than the flex on my other knee which was done about six years ago. The strange thing is that functionally the knee with less measured flex seems to work better!

@katp I hope the second opinion is helpful. I’m like you, those opioids keep me awake! I’m glad I’m not the only odd one.

@doodles418 Your suggestions are great in theory but more difficult to actually practice. I’m going through a lot of pain right now from a femur fracture and even though I appreciate how good my life is overall, I do get depressed by the pain, and knowing I will not be doing very well for my son’s wedding in August. When you are really hurting it’s very difficult to rationalize.
JK

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I had my tkr in May exactly because my daughter's wedding is the end of September. I thought I’d be back in action. The focus should be on her, not on me. I hear your frustration and the reality is that life isn’t very good right now. It seems that every moment is filled with what I can’t do. I have a little paper on my kitchen island where I’ve written “focus on what i can do, not what I can’t. “ everyday I struggle with my emotions. Everyday. I hear you.

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I've been posting more on my thread about failed knee replacement, but want to pop in here just to validate those of us who are facing feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, depression. I was reading about the correlation between chronic pain and suicide and it's substantial; please get help if you begin to think about that. So hard to feel these things for a long period of time.

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@babette

I've been posting more on my thread about failed knee replacement, but want to pop in here just to validate those of us who are facing feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, depression. I was reading about the correlation between chronic pain and suicide and it's substantial; please get help if you begin to think about that. So hard to feel these things for a long period of time.

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My sister is in despair since her bilateral knee replacements in April. Had manipulation last week, still has poor flexion and aches badly . Can anyone offer advice or support? Thanks

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I'm so sorry to hear this! Is one knee hurting more than the other?

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@babette

I'm so sorry to hear this! Is one knee hurting more than the other?

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Yes, but neither is doing well. And she's such a strong person normally!

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@zakcat

Yes, but neither is doing well. And she's such a strong person normally!

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My heart aches for your sister. I only have one, left knee filled with scar tissue. I just said to my leg, ‘I’d give most anything to have a leg that didn’t hurt all the time.’ But then to hear that your sister has 2! I am trying the practice of ‘one day at a time’. I’ve been told that no arthroscopy until 6 months PO. I am heading into week 11, so about half way there. When I look at it that way it feels like an eternity, like I will never make it. I have given up so much, we have given up so much. I don’t like to assume others on these boards have had my same experience, but I get so sad when I read all the stories because they are my story, too. I read about one scientific article on arthrofibrosis every day. I’m looking for hope, but I can’t afford to travel to a major research institution/hospital, let alone be part of a study. It’s all so exhausting. Yet, I can cook my own food, do my own dishes, makes my bed, take a shower, etc. I focus on each small success and rest, ice, elevate, and sometimes have an emotional meltdown. It’s my new normal. I need a magic wand.

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I had just one TKR and was a slow healer. I too was in pain and had flexión issues, MUA, PT... I was NOT progressing until my 5th month and even then it was tough. I am now 14 months out and I can say that flexibility is great but it took time. I can walk with no problems or hint of a knee replacement except for the scar. Just keep at it.

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