1. < Joint Replacements

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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pattyp845 | @pattyp845 | Oct 27, 2020

My biggest concern is that the surgery will make my knees worse. Before I had both knees replaced I couldn't even ride my bike or walk up two steps. So know that sometimes surgery is successful. I would say except for my knees being swollen I can walk up stairs with difficulty and ride my bike. If I had this surgery done it would this summer. I welcome any information. Thanks Patty

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1 reply
clbs | @clbs | Oct 27, 2020
In reply to @pattyp845 "My biggest concern is that the surgery will make my knees worse. Before I had both..." + (show)
@pattyp845

My biggest concern is that the surgery will make my knees worse. Before I had both knees replaced I couldn't even ride my bike or walk up two steps. So know that sometimes surgery is successful. I would say except for my knees being swollen I can walk up stairs with difficulty and ride my bike. If I had this surgery done it would this summer. I welcome any information. Thanks Patty

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I’ve had both knees replaced 1/19 and 4/20, and neither hurt and both are stable and functional. Unfortunately, both are pretty tight especially the older one but WAY better than they were before. It’s a long, hard recovery and rehab but worth it in the end!

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 27, 2020
In reply to @clbs "I’ve had both knees replaced 1/19 and 4/20, and neither hurt and both are stable and..." + (show)
@clbs

I’ve had both knees replaced 1/19 and 4/20, and neither hurt and both are stable and functional. Unfortunately, both are pretty tight especially the older one but WAY better than they were before. It’s a long, hard recovery and rehab but worth it in the end!

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@pattyp845 - You mentioned in your earlier post that you saw a surgeon that said your patella was rubbing on the femur. Did the surgeon mention or diagnose you with Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee)? There is another discussion about the condition - Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) or Runner's knee: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/patella-femoral-syndrome/

There are some exercises that may help - Top 3 Exercises for Chondromalacia or Patellofemoral Pain Sydrome:

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rknee | @rknee | Oct 29, 2020
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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Hi- I had my right knee replaced six weeks ago. I also iced my knee regularly, did PT exercises at least twice a day at home and went to PT 3x week. I’m at 130 ROM and 2 degrees flex; HOWEVER, my right side lumbar area of my back is killing me and my right gluteus hurts periodically. I did have L3-4 surgery in 2018 but that pain went away after the surgery. Now it is worse than ever. My PT is mainly working on stretches and exercises for my core and back rather than my knee since it is better. I’m so disappointed that one problem turned into a worse problem. My knee surgeon took an x-ray of my back and said there is more degeneration than in 2018. I’m afraid I may need more surgery on my back, but I don’t want to rush into anything if this is “normal” after knee surgery and may go away. Has anyone else had this experience and did the pain gradually go away?

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 29, 2020
In reply to @rknee "Hi- I had my right knee replaced six weeks ago. I also iced my knee regularly,..." + (show)
@rknee

Hi- I had my right knee replaced six weeks ago. I also iced my knee regularly, did PT exercises at least twice a day at home and went to PT 3x week. I’m at 130 ROM and 2 degrees flex; HOWEVER, my right side lumbar area of my back is killing me and my right gluteus hurts periodically. I did have L3-4 surgery in 2018 but that pain went away after the surgery. Now it is worse than ever. My PT is mainly working on stretches and exercises for my core and back rather than my knee since it is better. I’m so disappointed that one problem turned into a worse problem. My knee surgeon took an x-ray of my back and said there is more degeneration than in 2018. I’m afraid I may need more surgery on my back, but I don’t want to rush into anything if this is “normal” after knee surgery and may go away. Has anyone else had this experience and did the pain gradually go away?

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Hi @rknee, Sorry to hear your back problem seems to have been aggravated since your knee replacement. You may be interested in the following discussions to learn what others with similar back problems have shared.

- Having Decompression Hemi Laminectomy and possible Diskectomy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/having-decompression-hemi-laminectomy-and-possible-diskectomy/
- Spinal stenosis- lumbar: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spinal-stenosis-lumbar/

@jenniferhunter and @artscaping may have some thoughts or suggestions for you.

Has your doctor suggested any alternative therapy to help with the back pain?

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damewocane | @damewocane | Dec 2, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@damewocane I'm sorry that the ablation did not work, that must have been discouraging, particularly since..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@damewocane I'm sorry that the ablation did not work, that must have been discouraging, particularly since you were in greater pain afterward.
When you say a "synovial ganglion implant" that sounds like more than a shot, is it? I had synovial shots prior to my TKRs and they did help. There are a couple of brands but I found that Synvisc seemed to work best for me, although that could just have been a coincidence, perhaps the doctor or PA administering the shot of the other brand didn't do as good a job.

Certainly, I would not do another TKR without having the allergy testing, it could be fruitless if that's the problem. Is your flex still very low too?
JK

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Update on my sad knee scar tissue disaster- I moved away from Florida and was recently seen by a top ortho md in my new city- It was pronounced inoperable-No surgeon will touch it as it is too badly botched and I am stuck with a permanent limp and chronic pain which is relentless. i pray that no one else Ever has to endure such a sad prognosis.

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kfc1390 | @kfc1390 | Dec 14, 2020

Does everyone get scar tissue after tkr?

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3 replies
Erika | @erikas | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @kfc1390 "Does everyone get scar tissue after tkr?" + (show)
@kfc1390

Does everyone get scar tissue after tkr?

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@kfc1390 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support. You are asking if, "everyone get[s] scar tissue after," total knee replacement (TKR)?

You will see that I have moved your question into a discussion where members are currently discussing total knee replacements as it relates to scar tissue. I did this so you could more quickly connect and get support. You will notice members @rknee @rayreich3 @contentandwell @mwatts91757 have experience with this topic and may be a good resource for you. I also encourage you to scroll back through the comments to find previously shared suggestions.

May I ask if you have already had TKR or if you have an upcoming surgery?

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1 reply
annieb0188 | @annieb0188 | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @kfc1390 "Does everyone get scar tissue after tkr?" + (show)
@kfc1390

Does everyone get scar tissue after tkr?

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Hi, My name isAnnie and Im43 yrs old and I had two tkr done and I had scar tissue done. Its not uncommon.

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pwsharpe | @pwsharpe | Dec 21, 2020
In reply to @amberpep "Hi there .... yes, I've had scar tissue develop also. It developed slowly over time, but..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi there .... yes, I've had scar tissue develop also. It developed slowly over time, but by the time I hit the 1 year mark, my surgeon went in - arthroscopically - and cleaned it up. But, it never was right, and in another year I had to have a revision - a totally new replacement. Since then, my knee could not be any better. I don't know why this happens to some and not to others ... but after several other options had been tried, including the arthroscopic surgery, I opted to just do the revision .... I'm glad I did.
abby

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Who did your arthroscopic surgery? I am in a similar situation but do not want revision for first option.

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