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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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rmeddings | @rmeddings | Oct 19, 2019
In reply to @bengalady "I am losing faith in the medical profession right now, just how I feel. I am..." + (show)
@bengalady

I am losing faith in the medical profession right now, just how I feel. I am going through the same thing, had my TKR in 2016. I have been complaining ever since then, bends at about 100, stiff like a board and swelling ….all the time. By the evening, I can hardly walk. Plus, I'm bone on bone on my other knee, so I'm scared to land up in a wheelchair !!! My original surgeon said everything is good, and I shouldn't think about my knee. Moved to another state, so followed up with another surgeon, took xrays, says the same thing.
Because of Insurance, had to see another Ortho, and, well, of course, he said the same thing. The only difference is that he said I'm having pain. DDDUUUhhh. I'm suppose to see a pain MD after the week end. Reading here, I'm not so sure I want to. I had PT about 3-4 times. I mentioned to this last Ortho about maybe it is scar tissue, and he said no. He said he can't do a revision if he doesn't know the cause of the pain. I'm not asking for a revision, unless necessary.....but why can't they tell me the cause then ?
How do they conclude it's scar tissue, can anyone tell me that ? Is it determined by the symptoms alone ?
I'm ready to take a hammer to it myself ! (Don't worry, I won't)

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I understand how you feel. I had both knees done in 2016. I have not had a day without pain since then. I have tried most everything to no avail. I do have good flexion & extension, just terrible & continuous pain. My Dr cannot tell me why, because the xrays always look fine. It is so frustrating & I feel it would help some, if only a Dr. could explain what went wrong.

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 19, 2019
In reply to @rmeddings "I understand how you feel. I had both knees done in 2016. I have not had..." + (show)
@rmeddings

I understand how you feel. I had both knees done in 2016. I have not had a day without pain since then. I have tried most everything to no avail. I do have good flexion & extension, just terrible & continuous pain. My Dr cannot tell me why, because the xrays always look fine. It is so frustrating & I feel it would help some, if only a Dr. could explain what went wrong.

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@bengalady @rmeddings I wish I could offer some help or a suggestion but it seems as if you have both been to numerous doctors, none of whom have been able to help. If the doctors you have been to not been at a major medical center than I implore you to go to one. Do some research first to find the doctor who might be best for your situation. The doctors at the large medical centers have seen more. If it’s a teaching hospital that’s the best in my opinion. Mass General Hospital is about 55 miles down the highway from me so I go there now for almost everything. I feel very fortunate to have such highly rated hospitals within a 1 - 2 hour drive.

If nothing works out orthopedically the next option is a pain doctor of course. I don’t know much about them but if nothing else worked I would definitely try that option.
JK

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damewocane | @damewocane | Oct 22, 2019

My heart breaks for all of us out here who continue to suffer our messed up" revised" knees with no answers- I am about to undergo the nerve block part in a few weeks- if that takes an ablation... i will try to keep you posted...

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rayreich3 | @rayreich3 | Oct 22, 2019

Hopefully it will be better keep us updated

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bengalady | @bengalady | Oct 22, 2019
In reply to @rmeddings "I understand how you feel. I had both knees done in 2016. I have not had..." + (show)
@rmeddings

I understand how you feel. I had both knees done in 2016. I have not had a day without pain since then. I have tried most everything to no avail. I do have good flexion & extension, just terrible & continuous pain. My Dr cannot tell me why, because the xrays always look fine. It is so frustrating & I feel it would help some, if only a Dr. could explain what went wrong.

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I know, so we’re not alone in this. My thoughts are with you also.

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bengalady | @bengalady | Oct 22, 2019
In reply to @rayreich3 "Hopefully it will be better keep us updated" + (show)
@rayreich3

Hopefully it will be better keep us updated

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Please do ! Good luck

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bengalady | @bengalady | Oct 22, 2019
In reply to @damewocane "My heart breaks for all of us out here who continue to suffer our messed up"..." + (show)
@damewocane

My heart breaks for all of us out here who continue to suffer our messed up" revised" knees with no answers- I am about to undergo the nerve block part in a few weeks- if that takes an ablation... i will try to keep you posted...

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Please let us know how this goes. I’m suppose to go see a pain doc later in week, but I don’t feel real confident. I just want to know WHY this is. It will help me deal with it, and hopefully find a solution.

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bengalady | @bengalady | Oct 22, 2019

You know, some thoughts on my mind, plus looking at picture of my knees. The last surgeon eluded to the fact that I need to lose weight. First off, I was about 15lb heavier when I had my surgery. I am overweight, and a lot of it is in my lower body, hips, thighs. (And now my knees, lol). Yo-Yo dieting, plus aging ....well, I could use a knee lift ? I mean, yes.....it’s swollen, but hanging over.....my knee looks deformed, I hate it ! Maybe my weight is pushing around the replacement, causing the swelling ?
Yet, I’d think they’d have a warning or something, not for over 300lb or something. I’m not that heavy, just sayin.
Plus, aren’t these suppose to be strong ? Plus, if that’s it, I’ll work on it more, but then, more gravity will pull it down.
A brace helps me, but don’t want to be dependent on it.
I’m sorry, I’m ranting, just so many things going through my head.

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bengalady | @bengalady | Oct 22, 2019

I told my surgeon couple years ago, they need to give people antidepressants with this surgery !

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dickiedo | @dickiedo | Oct 27, 2019
In reply to @rayreich3 "My doctor took MRI saw the scar and went in arthroscopic removed it and it grew..." + (show)
@rayreich3

My doctor took MRI saw the scar and went in arthroscopic removed it and it grew back I am going to live with it unless they can figure something out lousy for sure

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Had arthroscopic to remove scar tissue for patella clunk on Oct. 24th. Hope it stays away. Will try doing stairs this week. TKR on May 8th. ITB still an issue but working on it.

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