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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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gmajudy | @gmajudy | Oct 29, 2019

Yesterday I made it to 95 degrees! I'm so happy! Keep moving.

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slmichie | @slmichie1969 | Nov 1, 2019

I have had a tight band feeling now for 7 years 24/7 no pain just uncomfortable with that feeling. One thing I tried and the massage therapy seemed to think it loosen things up was with cupping. she loosened the scars up to where I could move that skin around instead of the stuck down feeling. I bought the cups my self and use for knees and other things too. It hasn't changed the tight band feeling but I think if I would do it to myself a couple times a day maybe I would start seeing improvement. Just don't seem to find the time to do that. I have the kind of cups that look like little domes and you don't have to oil up and move the cups around you just stick them down. they are suppose to help scar tissue.

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1 reply
rayreich3 | @rayreich3 | Nov 1, 2019
In reply to @slmichie1969 "I have had a tight band feeling now for 7 years 24/7 no pain just uncomfortable..." + (show)
@slmichie1969

I have had a tight band feeling now for 7 years 24/7 no pain just uncomfortable with that feeling. One thing I tried and the massage therapy seemed to think it loosen things up was with cupping. she loosened the scars up to where I could move that skin around instead of the stuck down feeling. I bought the cups my self and use for knees and other things too. It hasn't changed the tight band feeling but I think if I would do it to myself a couple times a day maybe I would start seeing improvement. Just don't seem to find the time to do that. I have the kind of cups that look like little domes and you don't have to oil up and move the cups around you just stick them down. they are suppose to help scar tissue.

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Thanks for the information I will give it a try here in NYC

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bengalady | @bengalady | Nov 2, 2019

Thank you also, 3 years here. Can scar tissue be seen on an MRI ? I have same feeling, and Ortho sent me to a pain clinic. I was asked to describe the “pain”, with the words only, uh...shooting, aching, ect. I don’t even describe it as pain, so....no, pain pills not helping. However, only difference is that my knee still getting very swollen by end of day, I can hardly walk. I don’t think this should be happening after 3 years.

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1 reply
rayreich3 | @rayreich3 | Nov 2, 2019
In reply to @bengalady "Thank you also, 3 years here. Can scar tissue be seen on an MRI ? I..." + (show)
@bengalady

Thank you also, 3 years here. Can scar tissue be seen on an MRI ? I have same feeling, and Ortho sent me to a pain clinic. I was asked to describe the “pain”, with the words only, uh...shooting, aching, ect. I don’t even describe it as pain, so....no, pain pills not helping. However, only difference is that my knee still getting very swollen by end of day, I can hardly walk. I don’t think this should be happening after 3 years.

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Yes I have yet to find an answer

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msdiane2 | @msdiane2 | Nov 5, 2019
In reply to @cheris "Hi I had total knee replacement 10 months ago. Lots of swelling. Went to PT had..." + (show)
@cheris

Hi I had total knee replacement 10 months ago. Lots of swelling. Went to PT had deep tissue massage. VERY painful I felt like I had a very tight band around my knee making it hard to move.. I used a recumbent cross trainer which helped a lot. Getting into the pool and walking had an immediate effect on bringing down the swelling. After 3 months I did fairly well. I was bothered for a long time with sciatic pain making it hard to sit and ride in a car. I had second knee replaced 8 weeks ago. Almost no swelling very good range of motion right after the operation. Doing exercises twice a day and icing 3 time a day. This time around so much better. Some stiffness in knee but nothing compared to last time. My only problem is the hip/butt pain is back but not as bad. Has anyone else had this problem???

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Yes! I wasn't bothered with my sciatica for 5 years until my knee surgery! The water excercise does help it, and the knee.

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dickiedo | @dickiedo | Nov 7, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "@dickiedo - Maybe the warm weather will help out the recovery. I live in St. Augustine,..." + (show)
@debbraw

@dickiedo - Maybe the warm weather will help out the recovery. I live in St. Augustine, FL and it was in the high 80's here yesterday! Best of luck...

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Had scar tissue removed 2 weeks ago that caused patella clunk. Yes, that’s the term. No clunk since. Arthroscopic stitches come out today. See PT tomorrow for final visit. Sat begin drive to Fl. Expect few inches of snow today. Can’t get out of NY State soon enough. Has been 6 months to this day since TKR. Still few issues to resolve but this site will get me through it.

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1 reply
rayreich3 | @rayreich3 | Nov 7, 2019

all the best satay in touch

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golfshrink | @golfshrink | Nov 7, 2019
In reply to @dickiedo "Had scar tissue removed 2 weeks ago that caused patella clunk. Yes, that’s the term. No..." + (show)
@dickiedo

Had scar tissue removed 2 weeks ago that caused patella clunk. Yes, that’s the term. No clunk since. Arthroscopic stitches come out today. See PT tomorrow for final visit. Sat begin drive to Fl. Expect few inches of snow today. Can’t get out of NY State soon enough. Has been 6 months to this day since TKR. Still few issues to resolve but this site will get me through it.

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Does anyone know how long after surgery you can have orthoscopic scar removal? I’m almost 2 years out. My right knee is great, but my left is keeping me awake at night. I still have pain on the inside part of the knee in the transition of straightening my leg and the feeling of tightness. Oh- and I never followed up with my surgeon after my surgery- felt a bit traumatized . Thanks!

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2 replies
dickiedo | @dickiedo | Nov 7, 2019
In reply to @golfshrink "Does anyone know how long after surgery you can have orthoscopic scar removal? I’m almost 2..." + (show)
@golfshrink

Does anyone know how long after surgery you can have orthoscopic scar removal? I’m almost 2 years out. My right knee is great, but my left is keeping me awake at night. I still have pain on the inside part of the knee in the transition of straightening my leg and the feeling of tightness. Oh- and I never followed up with my surgeon after my surgery- felt a bit traumatized . Thanks!

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My OS removed scar tissue via arthroscopic 5 1/2 months after TKR. Kneecap was catching on scar tissue when bending beyond. Kept me from walking in water, using bike etc. no catching now 👌

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