Revision surgery because of scar tissue in knee

Hello @sgp1949, welcome to Connect. I'd like to share the following discussion with you titled, "Scar tissue after knee replacement." It is a long, ongoing discussion on the exact topic of aggressive scar tissue.

Personally, I had the same experience with aggressive scar tissue after my replacement in 2006. I had two manipulations that did not work and I also had a brace that had cranks on it to try and break it up. Eventually, I had a full leg cast put on that had hand cranks on it to try and aggressively break up the scar tissue. None worked, but I kept at it and eventually broke the scar tissue loose on my own. Still, I only have 0-105ish. A second opinion can never hurt, even if you are currently seeing an expert, especially since it involves major surgery.

I'd also like to invite @amberpep, @r2martin, @melcpa86, @rhetorica, @liza, who have all talked about having a revision, scar tissue surgery, or are also considering a revision surgery as well.

@sgp1949, while we wait for other members to share their experience, has surgery to remove the scar tissue been discussed? In my own case, they did not want to do so because they did not want to risk infection.

I have surgery scheduled for February to remove the scar tissue. He really doesn’t want to do it nor do I want to have it done but as of now no other option except to live with the pain and impairment

I have a scope surgery to remove scar tissue scheduled on 11/28 with my original surgeon. Infection has been ruled out. The bone scan had increased uptake, but at barely 9 months after surgery, the doc said that could be normal or it could be loose. The metal allergy test came back that I’m allergic to nickel, but none of the four surgeons that have looked at the result can tell me if the implant I have contains nickel as of yet. I was advised by two of them that even if it does - at my age (54) they would advise AGAINST a revision as I would have larger issues in the future when the implant wore out.

The scar tissue scope is the least invasive option to try and address the pain and increase my ROM which has slipped from 120 to 105 in the last 6 months.

@sgp1949, what sort of procedure is involved with removing the scar tissue? @melcpa86, mentioned that they are having a scope surgery to remove scar tissue on 11/28. If you feel like sharing, is this the procedure you will be having in February?

He is talking about a third knee replacement if February. It will the third in 6 years on the same knee. I have tried physical therapy, manipulation, and braces with cranks. Nothing broke up the scar tissue. I am now down to 70% range of motion. It decreased by 20% in the last year.

@sgp1949--that's tough. I have a lot of scar tissue too, and am going in on Thursday for a needle aspiration to see if any of the fluid in my knee is from an infection. After that, I do have a second opinion scheduled for next week to see what my options are. I have also talked with a massage therapist who has recommended some specific massages designed to break up scar tissue. I wish you luck.

Thank you

Bi-lateral knee replacement was done in 2013. Scar tissue was always a problem on right knee. Months of P/T followed.
In 2015 had surgery to remove scar tissue. It returned with a vengeance. Two surgeons said my only recourse was revision surgery.
Cannot straighten or bend the knee, limping badly. Spoke with a doctor that recommended a hinged KR which is done from the back of the knee.
Ligaments are cut because the replace the supports the knee. Revision surgery is very scary.
Anyone dealing with this situation?

Hello @barbwire, I would like to invite some other members to this discussion that have some experience with revision surgery. Although their situations may not be exactly like yours, they may be able to offer some insight on why they had to have a revision and what the experience was like for them. @szqyoung, @amberpep, @maryann1753, @jmacvol, @franciesusan, have all discussed having a revision done for various reasons.

@barbwire, I can understand the fear of a revision surgery. I had my right knee replaced in 2006 when I was 19 due to severe end-stage arthritis that started when I was a child. I know for certain that I will likely have to have 1 or 2 revisions in my lifetime because I was so young when I had the surgery. I do not look forward to those days. I also struggled mightily with scar tissue. I had two manipulations after my knee replacement, tried full leg casts with hand cranks to force it to bend, and nothing worked. I ended up popping it loose on my own, but my ROM is still less than I would have liked at 0-105 or so.

@barbwire, if you don't mind me asking, what is the outlook for mobility and being active with a hinged knee replacement? I haven't heard of one of those.

Hello All. I'm new to the group. I'm scheduled for revision of TKR on May 2, 2019. I understand the first operation will entail taking out the prothesis and putting in an antibiotic emitting spacer. Does anyone know how long the spacer will stay in and how long before the 2nd surgery to take out the spacer and put in a new knee? And during the time the spacer is in place, how much mobility will I have? Thanks for any feedback. Jean