Scar tissue after knee replacement

@killerbees @damewocane I am a very strong advocate of doing your research and getting recommendations before choosing your surgeon. The skill of the surgeon is the most important priority. I really did a lot of research and had personal recommendations before choosing the surgeon to do my second TKR and I have been extremely happy with it. There was a lot of pain for about 6 or 7 weeks and the surgeon himself was concerned, seeing me often during that period, but then it suddenly lifted overnight! He is, in my opinion, the best. Plus, I have the Conformis knee, custom made for the patient. That helps too. I was in such extreme pain before my first TKR that I chose the surgeon who could see me first. My knee is OK, I don't have the problems that I hear about on here. but it is not as good as the second one.

@katp Good luck on your surgery. Please let us know how it goes, and don't be discouraged with pain initially. It will hopefully suddenly improve as mine did.

@babette When is your surgery scheduled? I hope you too keep us informed. It sounds as if you have done great research in choosing your doctor so I'm sure it will be a success.
JK

Sorry to tell you-But...My experience with my ongoing healing from knee revision has been like groundhog day--here i am going thru All this again-pain yes-pretty much the same as TkR, trying to get a better bend I was struggling at 78 degrees when the Dr. said-Oh time for that hip replacement-and while we're in there-why not a MUA-that bend isn't good enough... So here i am with double problems surgery was July 22 and the new pt today said-You should have seen me the day after your surgery-You're only at 55 degrees- You are so far behind... I said i could hardly get out of bed for the first week Just to use the bathroom. He forced my knee and told me to ice ice... Very daunting and pain is ever present and horrible, while they say- no more pain meds or you-we don't want you to become an addict- here have a script for meloxicam- which I am finding very ineffective for severe pain. Hope you have better trip than the one I'm on : {

That doctor sounds irresponsible. Dump him. And, Tramadol 50 mg.isnt really addictive. Its a mild pain killer.

@zakcat Your post caught my eye because I am currently using tramadol for pain from my fractured femur, and trying to take the minimum amount. I just take it in the morning because when I get up the pain is more intense than later in the day.
I googled tramadol and addiction and it is addictive, even in the small quantities prescribed:
https://www.medicinenet.com/tramadol/article.htm#what_is_tramadol_how_does_it_work_mechanism_of_action
JK

Just because a drug has the potential to be addictive doesn't mean that YOU will become addicted to it. If it's used responsibly under a doctor's care, it can help your healing.

@harley105 Absolutely. I have at various times had OxyContin, oxycodone, dilaudid, and hydrocodone but always been very careful about not overdoing it. I have never had a problem discontinuing them. But, taken for too long they do have the capacity of being addictive.
JK

Very true!

Hi folks, I’ve been off the board for a few weeks. I was scheduled yesterday for arthroscopy to remove scar tissue after May 17th left tkr. Yesterday was a Monday. The Friday before, my surgery was cancelled after a conflicting consult. I was devastated. I have no flexion, burning pain, and just a ruined existence. It has been incredibly difficult to accept that every 2 weeks I must return to these physicians who, it feels like, sentence me to days and nights of torture. I know I sound overly dramatic. I realize that I don’t have cancer. I can drive short distances, do small grocery trips, bathe myself, do my own laundry.

I think the rationale is that at 4 months post op I still have inflammation. Inflammation means more scar tissue will regrow if it is aggravated by surgery. I take tramadol, about 2 a day, if I get to a place of desperation. It seems to not do much. I take a few Tylenol, like maybe 6 per day. Someone suggested bromelain, but I can’t tolerate too many. It upsets my stomach. Waiting is a difficult job. Waiting in pain is exhausting. Does anyone have a ‘magic mix’ of supplement and otc?

@katp "a ruined existence" is the perfect phrase for us in chronic big pain. I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through and I'm walking the same path. It's such a shock to become disabled, isn't it? I see people walking past my house and just want to shout "you can walk! Without any difficulty!" Ditto when I see people doing other everyday things.

I had my TKR over a year ago and it needs to be completely revised. I'm seeing my new surgeon tomorrow about the details. When I first heard about the revision I was shocked into such a depression. The first year+ has been hell and now I need to do it AGAIN?! I'm getting a better perspective but am still really angry. As for the "at least I don't have cancer" thought, I understand what you're saying however that doesn't negate or invalidate the pain we DO have!

I don't have an OTC formula to share. I wish I had magic.

You're closer to only 3 months post OP. I hear that its normal to wait 6 months before doing that scar removal surgery. The key to recovery is not to avoid scar tissue-thats impossible- but to make the scar tissue fibers develop straight, instead of all tangled. Keep pushing, icing and resting! You will recover. May take a year.