Scar tissue after knee replacement

Good evening @anniesnaps That is a wonderful reply. You are first of all a fighter. That's why you end up as a survivor. Congratulations.....your attitude does not reflect fear or anger at the anguish you have had working with pain every day.. I can see how lonely that road is.

I prefer that my friends and colleagues don't have to deal with my pain and suffering. I try hard to be strong and grateful for the joy I find in every day.

When you write about baker's cysts are you referring to the one behind your knee? I only have one bag-like vessel that fills up with fluid. Our bodies create the fluid in an attempt to help heal the knee. You can have them drained but they tend to fill up again. And the task is usually too much for them unless you have an MFR therapist who can help relieve the cyst of its contents. The other thing that can happen is that you get cysts around the meniscus.

My only other message to you is one that is currently helping me, myself, and I. Do not set expectations for pain control so high that you never are satisfied with the outcome. I have given up on reaching pain-free. I am going for pain reduction or what I call tolerable pain that permits me to have some joy in my life every single day.

And that is what I wish for you......freedom to live with only what you can control.
May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

@artscaping Hi Chris, I’m sorry for the delayed response. I’m thinking that I must have had multiple (non Baker’s) cysts removed as part of one of my surgeries. I think later on the PT thought I might have developed a Baker’s Cyst because I remember she said something about the back of my knee. It’s been several years, and so much has happened that I can’t remember.

I have expectations of eventually being able to go up and down stairs, but I know I will never be pain-free. Sometimes I actually do get angry, but I don’t let myself stay that way for long because I don’t want to become bitter. And I have had clinical depression since I was a teenager, so I do get down and my physical pain is very much a part of it. When I was young my mom taught me to “always utilize your resources,” so I advocate for myself and have a good amount of support from people around me. There’s always some sort of help out there... It’s frustrating and discouraging, but a person just has to keep looking until he or she finds the right kind.

Good evening, I liked your post especially your efforts to understand and control the mental and emotional aspects of coping with chronic pain and discomfort. Acceptance of the conditions and pain you are living with is a positive step.

Just this year I finally stopped the hunt for a pain-free life. I now accept that I will never be pain-free. I just want to have something to do with controlling the pain. Is that eating well, drinking lots of water, and getting up and out into nature for some exercise?

What I am not willing to do is deal with the side effects of medications as well as the neuropathic pain and itching. Today it is the itching. Tomorrow may be the pain. In between, I will enjoy the day and everything life has to offer me.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

It has been 1 1/2 years since my TKR. Prior to surgery i could do everything just arthritis pain. After surgery and PT. My knees are horrible. Top doctors did my knees. Xrays look great, scar tissue seems to be the culprit. MUA on one knee to 120 degrees, but neither one can go past 80-85 degreed and my life is really crappy, rely on lift chair, knees get tight and hurtful. One of my Dr said i need to live with it, scar tissue grows back if you have surgery, other Dr said he dosent want to make my situation worse, surgery is trauma to the knee, use cbd and do my best. I dont want to stay like this. Ive heard of the Iovera treatment yo temp deaden nerves but would prefer a real fix, but dosent seem to be one.

Unfortunately I'm right there with you.

Your gait may have changed, or favoring one leg post surgery can do it. Have the therapist treat it.

I had a partial knee replacement 2-3 yrs ago, I do fine during the day, no pain, good range of motion. But when I go to bed it gets very painful on the inner side of my knee, very painful to turn over or get out of bed. After I am up I have no more trouble till I go to bed again. I was waking up due to the pain when I moved and started taking Tylenol PM, with that I am not waking during the night, but it is still painful moving it to get out of bed. Because I have moved out of State I am unable to return to my orthopedic surgeon.
I have never heard of this problem, my PCP did not have much advice to offer. I have tried wearing an elastic knee support to bed but find it uncomfortable when I bend my knee for any length of time, I have also tried rubbing Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel on my knee before bedtime, does not seem to help.
I suppose if I have to live with it, it's better than having it hurt during the day. I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had this problem. I hope those who are having pain during the day time will be able to get some relief, it seems that there are as many different problems with a TKR as there are people having it done. My best to you all.

I take ambien to sleep but dosent last the entire night. When my knees were first replaced bed was uncomfortable. Now with my knees together I’m not really feeling discomfort but after a few hours, my knees let me know they want to be stretched. Scar tissue is my nemesis and can’t seem to find a good resolution. As for you, I hope time makes it better but in the mean time Id ask your dr about a sleep agent.

Good evening my friend @emyliander. I am so sorry to read about this new situation. You have been through a lot and that is based upon what you have dealt with in the last year.

Believe it or not, I am dealing with the same issue. My first TKR was done 10 years ago and has been pretty close to perfect. Now, I too am dealing with the "other" knee. It is a mess according to my orthopedic team. So, because I want to see my grandchildren in Texas before surgery, they tried to make it possible to sneak in a trip to Galveston and a double birthday celebration at the beach. Jay Paul will be 4 and Amelia Marie will be 2. I am thrilled that they have made it possible for me to spend time with them before facing another TKR.

How are you and your family? Are you settled in your new home? I hope there is harmony in your house and please know that you are very frequently in my thoughts.

Be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

Hello, buickturboman,
My left TKR was done June, 2019. I unfortunately had a blood clot, hematoma, and foot drop from the operation trauma along with severe swelling Hospital and nursing homes for 4 months. I also got a n infection 2 months after surgery . You mentioned Iovera and you are the first person I have heard mention it. None of my very experienced doctors have heard of the procedure except the initial surgeon and his helper who highly recommended it. ( I switched docs due to all the difficulties and lack of trust)
Two years out now I still can’t feel most of my calf ankle and especially my toes. PT has helped a great deal especially with the foot drop. My ROM seems good, maybe 120, but I am disappointed b/c of the constant numbness and nerve firings. I can’t for sure say Iovera was to blame for all this, but I would avoid this treatment if I were you.
ANYONE ELSE ON HERE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH IOVERA??