Scar tissue after knee replacement

@sarastafford It's hard to even imagine what you have been through. Do you see any relief in sight? Do your doctors have anything promising on the horizon? My two TKRs were successful but I think if I had read all of these that I may not have had them, or at least not the second one. I was in constant pain before the first one so that had to be done, ASAP.
JK

Thanks for asking and sharing. This is all in hind site but a doctor rationalizing a TKR every year with manipulations Thrown in at this point I’d I can’t comprehend. He knew it was scar tissue buildup excessive excessive scar tissue, Which really manifest after someone has surgery. And I don’t know if I mentioned it I did in my prior post that one of the surgeries he performed after he cut my knee/leg open it was completely infected. So that was eight weeks in a wheelchair with a pick line .The pain I’m experiencing now after the hinged knee surgery the last surgery is a different pain. It’s like the center of my leg where my knee cap is on the left and right side is hard as a rock. And the pain is excruciating. The last time I saw him he wanted to do another manipulation and send me on to a pain management specialist. Manipulation at this point I believe would be futile And then he wanted to refer me to a pathologist family medicine doctor .I don’t even know what they do or how they could possibly have anything to do with what’s going on with my my knee and my leg. If anyone has any clue what a family medicine doctor specializes in pathology could help me with I’d be glad to to listen. That was some great ideas on here about trying to go to one of the specialist at the University of Washington or something like that. No doctor will touch me and that at this point I don’t know what to do. No pain medicine no quality-of-life and no support from my doctor anymore

Yes, I did hear by phone that my rheumatologic profile is NOT responsible for the scar tissue formation. No testing was done, however. My recent sed rate was normal (high end, as usual) and crp is normal also. On CBC, platelets, high end of normal. Everything else is normal. I’m so normal, it’s ridiculous. My entire leg aches along with the pulling, ripping, and restriction of the scar tissue. I just don’t know how I can make it to the 6 month land mark for arthrolysis. It’s torture, its all torture. Staying busy is my only salvation. This is a mental/emotional as well as a physical battle.

it's all pretty awful. I can only relate a little because a girlfriend of mine suffers a similar pain, after being shot in the leg during a mass shooting at our local township meeting. She had to learn to control the pain with her mind, and it wasn't easy. She did say that after awhile, the mind does adjust and learns to minimize the pain. But it takes a long time. Have you had anyone check your veins/arteries (Popliteal especially) to make sure there is no constriction:?

I had TKR back in January 2019. I continue to build scar tissue that comes back right back. My PT claims "I lay scar tissue down faster than he has ever seen it. I'm working with my Doc ..mostly with NSAI's with on and off reduced tightness. I'm very active bikeing and Yoga all have made my leg strong but not without a lot of warming up to get it moving.

I'm sorry your are having do much trouble and I hope they solve the problem soon. Mine is minor in comparison if my blood work is clean no infection or bone problem I get ND MRI as I do have other issues a Burser, tendonites, AC issues. Again so sorry I can well imagine how hard it is. Hope you get ANSWERS SOON.

I grow scar tissue just like you. I hope the “why” is discovered soon. Also, how to reduce it. So on that note, does anyone really know why surgeons make us wait to have arthroscopic surgery for 6 months? I’m just about at 3 months. I haven’t walked properly since my initial tkr. My muscles are atrophying and you can see it. I dont know how much more scar tissue can fill my knee. It seems to be growing up my thigh and down my calf, even feeling it it my foot. My mind just needs to understand why. And as a patient, doctors owe us this.

I was told that the risk of infection is the reason to wait. After six months, the TKR is more healed and not as prone to being infected?

No checks on veins / arteries.
They wouldn’t give your g/f pain meds. Sorry that happened to her.

I think I read that somewhere, so, thanks. Which is worse, infection or insanity? Seriously, the pain, restriction, isolation, inactivity. I get it that the hardware must heal-in and the incisions heal. I’m so eager to make some progress. I can not even entertain the idea that it may not be the answer. Can’t go there.

Hi,
You really want to know what insanity is my friend? Doing the same thing over and over again ( 8 TKR) snd expecting different results.