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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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sarastafford | @sarastafford | Aug 2, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@sarastafford Are you not on Medicare, then? If you are on Medicare you don't need a..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@sarastafford Are you not on Medicare, then? If you are on Medicare you don't need a referral. The right doctor might welcome the challenge.
JK

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I tried UW. Year waiting list. I have fought with them for years. I’m sorry I have a poor attitude at this point. Sort of resigned to the fact it it’s just gonna be like this. Fighting the medical community is like trying to swim upstream

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babette | @babette | Aug 2, 2019

Have you looked into hiring a Patient Advocate or going to UW's ombudsperson? Or a personal injury atty? I know you said you aren't the litigious type, but wow, if anything deserves a legal look, it seems to be your situation.

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1 reply
sarastafford | @sarastafford | Aug 2, 2019
In reply to @babette "Have you looked into hiring a Patient Advocate or going to UW's ombudsperson? Or a personal..." + (show)
@babette

Have you looked into hiring a Patient Advocate or going to UW's ombudsperson? Or a personal injury atty? I know you said you aren't the litigious type, but wow, if anything deserves a legal look, it seems to be your situation.

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Well to be honest, I’m currently in the middle of a contentious divorce . I used to have (before knee issues) a career in environmental health and safety with a good salary which all fell apart when I had to go on disability and 2014. I’m already dealing with a lawyer who I have to file a grievance on. So basically my plates full
Protection orders property issues. It’s all ridiculous time consuming . et Cetera et Cetera et Cetera
I didn’t mean to actually go in that direction I apologize. And I can’t walk hardly. Things will get better you can’t pull off the floor. Smile

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katp | @katp | Aug 2, 2019
In reply to @damewocane "Its a bewildering situation to be in- I empathetically connect with so many of you all...." + (show)
@damewocane

Its a bewildering situation to be in- I empathetically connect with so many of you all. I'm in week 2 recovery after a hip replacement and MUA -my fifth procedure around my knee, all the time trying to stave off the ever encroaching scar tissue and the never-ending pain story. I have my mm supplies and for me it helps a bit but does not eradicate this unnerving buzzing, stabbing ache. A CPM(continuous passive motion) device is my beauty rest companion placed for the foreseeable future on the other side of my bed. in my 2 year journey I have found this forum very good therapy for mind and soul. Knee? well thats still a problem.
More later.... looks like the elusive sleep fairy is dropping by.

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Thanks for sharing about mm. I called a doctor who prescribes, only to be told that he is not accepting any new patients. If you had said it was your ‘answer’ I would have been really bummed. I wish I had been given a cpm from the beginning, bi5 5here is no way to know who is a scar tissue former and who isn’t. I find comfort in this formum also.

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JK | @contentandwell | Aug 2, 2019
In reply to @sarastafford "I tried UW. Year waiting list. I have fought with them for years. I’m sorry I..." + (show)
@sarastafford

I tried UW. Year waiting list. I have fought with them for years. I’m sorry I have a poor attitude at this point. Sort of resigned to the fact it it’s just gonna be like this. Fighting the medical community is like trying to swim upstream

Jump to this post

@sarastafford You must really feel beaten down, I know I would. Too many things, all at once. I hope that when you get your other current issues settled that you will be able to get back into the fight for yourself and your pain. @babette has some good ideas.

@katp I really don’t know about prescribing mm, but is there only one doctor who does that in your area? Would the derivative oil (CBD?) help?

I did have a CPM after my first TKR and it did nothing for me.
JK

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1 reply
zakcat | @zakcat | Aug 2, 2019
In reply to @katp "Have not yet Considered THC, but I may. Night time is always the worst. Thanks." + (show)
@katp

Have not yet Considered THC, but I may. Night time is always the worst. Thanks.

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Nights are for me too, especially at 4 to 6 am.

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sarastafford | @sarastafford | Aug 2, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@sarastafford You must really feel beaten down, I know I would. Too many things, all at..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@sarastafford You must really feel beaten down, I know I would. Too many things, all at once. I hope that when you get your other current issues settled that you will be able to get back into the fight for yourself and your pain. @babette has some good ideas.

@katp I really don’t know about prescribing mm, but is there only one doctor who does that in your area? Would the derivative oil (CBD?) help?

I did have a CPM after my first TKR and it did nothing for me.
JK

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They have those pill mills like Washington pain management .They are crazy. I went to one awhile back and spent 3 hours in the waiting room and 10 min with the doctor with a bill of 500

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zakcat | @zakcat | Aug 3, 2019

does anyone know what forms the scar tissue? Why is everyone so different? I found that the PT person makes so much difference. The first place I went was awful, the second one I tried was effective and kind. And I gained every week. Make sure you are using a really good Therapist.

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zakcat | @zakcat | Aug 3, 2019
In reply to @katp "Yes, I tested positive for the antibody for sogrens. I have dry eye but for years..." + (show)
@katp

Yes, I tested positive for the antibody for sogrens. I have dry eye but for years told I had fibromyalgia.

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and you've spoken with your Rheumatologist about your scar problems?

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1 reply
sarastafford | @sarastafford | Aug 4, 2019
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @leithlane, we were just wondering how you are doing with your scar tissue after your..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @leithlane, we were just wondering how you are doing with your scar tissue after your knee replacement?

@amberpep, @lamerex4, and @cheris all shared their own experiences with scar tissue. Do you care to share with the group the progress you have made in the last two weeks, or new bumps in the road you have experienced?

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I understand what your going through. My doctors solution to the massive scar tissue I had was doing surgery again and again and again, 8 TKR, 10 Manipulations and finally hinged knee surgery. I can not lift my leg up from the floor and put it it on the couch All the pain for the most part is my knee xcap and sides. It feels like

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