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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tacaropat | @tacaropat | Jun 3, 2021
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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When you say revision do you mean a new replacement?

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pahanselman | @pahanselman | Jun 8, 2021

I’m coming up on 2 years and so much scar tissue has developed (IMO). I limp and cannot walk comfortably at the beach and have been in and out of PT this entire time. How do I go about finding a surgeon? I have lost faith in my surgeon who has dismissed the problem as a PT issue. “It’s their job to get you moving”. That’s in the past. I want to “move” forward. Any ideas?

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1 reply
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jun 11, 2021
In reply to @pahanselman "I’m coming up on 2 years and so much scar tissue has developed (IMO). I limp..." + (show)
@pahanselman

I’m coming up on 2 years and so much scar tissue has developed (IMO). I limp and cannot walk comfortably at the beach and have been in and out of PT this entire time. How do I go about finding a surgeon? I have lost faith in my surgeon who has dismissed the problem as a PT issue. “It’s their job to get you moving”. That’s in the past. I want to “move” forward. Any ideas?

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Hi @pahanselman and welcome to Connect. I am sorry that you are having trouble walking comfortably. You will see that I moved your post to a longstanding discussion about scar tissue after knee replacement. I wanted to give you an opportunity to connect with other members that have dealt with knee replacements like @artscaping, @amberpep and @tacaropat

You can go to the Mayo Website and search doctors if you are looking for Mayo's help. https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments/find-a-doctor

Have you done PT in the past?

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tacaropat | @tacaropat | Jun 12, 2021

Yes did PT immediately after mako-replacement (robotic assistant) for 6weeks and again at year and 3 months after original replacement, I gained a little more movement-bend, but still have pain. Even at night. No one has suggested a 2nd replacement or a version. Afraid if I do it I’ll have same issues. It still feels
Ike a band around my knee, numbness, heavy and Bad balance. I’m in Md. and winter in Naples, Fl. Any suggestions?!

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1 reply
kaky1450 | @kaky1450 | Jul 18, 2021

I am 10 weeks post op from TKR and about 2 weeks ago my scar tissue developed a hard knot which I assumed was just scar tissue but it has not gone down and now hurts underneath especially when I bend my knee. I went to the surgeon and he said there is no infection and is probably from the suture dissolving. It does not feel like fluid - feels very hard. Anyone else have this and if so, did it go away?? I keep massaging as if it is just scar tissue but it has not helped. My husband says it looks like an alien is about to pop out! Very ugly too. It has gotten larger these last few days - assuming massaging it is ok too? Any help is appreciated.
Pics attached are from 7/11/21.
Thanks!
Kathy
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2 replies
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @kaky1450 "I am 10 weeks post op from TKR and about 2 weeks ago my scar tissue..." + (show)
@kaky1450

I am 10 weeks post op from TKR and about 2 weeks ago my scar tissue developed a hard knot which I assumed was just scar tissue but it has not gone down and now hurts underneath especially when I bend my knee. I went to the surgeon and he said there is no infection and is probably from the suture dissolving. It does not feel like fluid - feels very hard. Anyone else have this and if so, did it go away?? I keep massaging as if it is just scar tissue but it has not helped. My husband says it looks like an alien is about to pop out! Very ugly too. It has gotten larger these last few days - assuming massaging it is ok too? Any help is appreciated.
Pics attached are from 7/11/21.
Thanks!
Kathy

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Hi @kaky1450 you will see that I moved your post so you could connect with other members who have been experiencing scar tissue after knee replacement.
Your photos looks quite painful!
What has your surgeon said about this?

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1 reply
kaky1450 | @kaky1450 | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @kaky1450 you will see that I moved your post so you could connect with other..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @kaky1450 you will see that I moved your post so you could connect with other members who have been experiencing scar tissue after knee replacement.
Your photos looks quite painful!
What has your surgeon said about this?

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Thanks. The surgeon thinks maybe it is a dissolving suture. Not sure what that means.
Thanks.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @kaky1450 "Thanks. The surgeon thinks maybe it is a dissolving suture. Not sure what that means. Thanks." + (show)
@kaky1450

Thanks. The surgeon thinks maybe it is a dissolving suture. Not sure what that means.
Thanks.

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Sometimes a suture resists dissolving, and forms a cyst - it may eventually dissolve, but a couple times l had to have a small incision made and get it removed.
Have you noticed any softening or redness/tenderness?
Sue

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1 reply
kaky1450 | @kaky1450 | Jul 19, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Sometimes a suture resists dissolving, and forms a cyst - it may eventually dissolve, but a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Sometimes a suture resists dissolving, and forms a cyst - it may eventually dissolve, but a couple times l had to have a small incision made and get it removed.
Have you noticed any softening or redness/tenderness?
Sue

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Thanks Sue
I don’t see any redness right now - although sometimes it is warm with some slight redness in the area - but the redness goes away and the heat remains.
It is sore and tender around and under it but the actual knot/cyst is hard as a rock. I go back for a post op on 8/24 so hoping it will be gone by then but it just seems to be getting bigger and more protruding.
I was rubbing it thinking it was scar tissue but now not sure whether to leave it alone or use ice or heat or keep massaging. Any thoughts?
Thanks again.
Kathy

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1 reply
dduke | @dduke | Jul 19, 2021
In reply to @kaky1450 "I am 10 weeks post op from TKR and about 2 weeks ago my scar tissue..." + (show)
@kaky1450

I am 10 weeks post op from TKR and about 2 weeks ago my scar tissue developed a hard knot which I assumed was just scar tissue but it has not gone down and now hurts underneath especially when I bend my knee. I went to the surgeon and he said there is no infection and is probably from the suture dissolving. It does not feel like fluid - feels very hard. Anyone else have this and if so, did it go away?? I keep massaging as if it is just scar tissue but it has not helped. My husband says it looks like an alien is about to pop out! Very ugly too. It has gotten larger these last few days - assuming massaging it is ok too? Any help is appreciated.
Pics attached are from 7/11/21.
Thanks!
Kathy

Jump to this post

Look up keloids. https://www.healthline.com/health/keloids#symptoms

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