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How do you treat excess scarring after TKR?

Posted by Jmacvol @jmacvol, Jul 29, 2016

I had TKR on my left knee Dec 2013. Had poor ROM performance with PT and had MUA after 3 months. Recovery from MUA was most painful experience ever and totally ineffective. As time went on ROM got worse as scar tissue took over knee. Sep 2014 I had left knee revision to remove scar tissue and had right kne TKR. 3 more months of PT and right knee recovered much better than left as left knee once again grew excessive scar tissue. Dec 2015 I had a 2nd revision on left knee to remove scar tissue and surgeon said if this didn't work he may have to replace remove appliance and start over. 3 more months of PT and ROM got worse with PT as scar tissue grew back again. ROM in left knee is about 70. As each day goes on pain increases with no improvement in site. Surgeon says that appliance is fine and there is no more he can do. Is there any solution to my problem. Contacted Mayo for help.

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ezas123 | @ezas123 | Nov 18, 2021
In reply to @buickturboman "I had my knee replaced before retirement hoping for a great retirement. 3 mos when suppose..." + (show)
@buickturboman

I had my knee replaced before retirement hoping for a great retirement. 3 mos when suppose to go back to work, I still had issues. Knee replacement went well but scar tissue limited my range. I didnt know it was scar tissue, panicked and had the other replaced as it too needed it. I figured my first one just needed more time to rehab. Boy was I wrong. One knee rom 85 and other only 80 and always hurtful, i hold a pulsing vibrator on them most of the day for some relief, tens unit, cbd and gels, just miserable. Had one manipulated but no real benefit. PT wasnt progressing me. Went to new surgeon who wants my A1C to drop and me to lose some weight, trim up gut in hopes to improve outcome of surgery. Talked about arthrosiopic lysis of adhesions but he feels it is better to open up my knee again. But no guarantees. One Dr said scar tissue can grow back. It has really ruined my life. I had to buy a new lift chair ladt week because my other cheap one was failing and I need the lift to stand. Im 63 and always active before this and now to go to gym to trim up sucks when it is discomforting just to walk and limited on machines I can use. Hard to be motivated when you know surgery may not go well.

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I am sorry to hear about what you are going through but I can relate I am 59 14 weeks out of tkr and I have been struggling…. I don’t feel this is what I signed up for I thought I be back to work 3 weeks no problem ….. but unfortunately I am not back to work I have been dealing with inflammation, pain and a dr who gave up at 6 weeks …. But I did not give up and there has been time in the last three months I wanted to just stay in bed but I get up do my exercises , ice …. Look on this website find others who have had same issue get suggestions…. I started water therapy and also going for mfr massage I have had 3 sessions of each now ….. I can almost hyper extend my leg very close to it I am bragging now lol it took some sweat to do that …..now we are working on bend …..when I started I was at 60-65 pt said but I know it is getting better … I am waking so much better ….I have moments where feels even good they are very brief but I have them just lets me know that there is light at the end of all this…I still have my rough days where the pain more than I can stand and my other knee giving me issues because doing too much work I get angry at the whole situation but I talk about it to my daughter my family whoever will listen …..sometimes that’s all I need someone to listen can always type it out here a lot people to listen……I hope this message helps know that you are not alone there are many of us out here struggling to get back to our new normal but god willing each day we step closer

REPLY
1 reply
lawman | @lawman | Nov 18, 2021
In reply to @ezas123 "I am sorry to hear about what you are going through but I can relate I..." + (show)
@ezas123

I am sorry to hear about what you are going through but I can relate I am 59 14 weeks out of tkr and I have been struggling…. I don’t feel this is what I signed up for I thought I be back to work 3 weeks no problem ….. but unfortunately I am not back to work I have been dealing with inflammation, pain and a dr who gave up at 6 weeks …. But I did not give up and there has been time in the last three months I wanted to just stay in bed but I get up do my exercises , ice …. Look on this website find others who have had same issue get suggestions…. I started water therapy and also going for mfr massage I have had 3 sessions of each now ….. I can almost hyper extend my leg very close to it I am bragging now lol it took some sweat to do that …..now we are working on bend …..when I started I was at 60-65 pt said but I know it is getting better … I am waking so much better ….I have moments where feels even good they are very brief but I have them just lets me know that there is light at the end of all this…I still have my rough days where the pain more than I can stand and my other knee giving me issues because doing too much work I get angry at the whole situation but I talk about it to my daughter my family whoever will listen …..sometimes that’s all I need someone to listen can always type it out here a lot people to listen……I hope this message helps know that you are not alone there are many of us out here struggling to get back to our new normal but god willing each day we step closer

Jump to this post

So many of us have issues similar to this. what any surgeons fail to tell you is (in my opinion) never the same after TKR. I have heard that TKR is the single most money-generating surgery in the US, kind of explains a lot, I will tell you it is going on 2 years since my revision surgery (first surgeon inserted to large a replacement) and it takes a LONG time and very much hard work and pain to get back to a point where you can at least stand it, the improvements seemed to come in stages with me. Hopefully, this will give you some solace to hang in there.

REPLY
1 reply
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Nov 18, 2021
In reply to @lawman "So many of us have issues similar to this. what any surgeons fail to tell you..." + (show)
@lawman

So many of us have issues similar to this. what any surgeons fail to tell you is (in my opinion) never the same after TKR. I have heard that TKR is the single most money-generating surgery in the US, kind of explains a lot, I will tell you it is going on 2 years since my revision surgery (first surgeon inserted to large a replacement) and it takes a LONG time and very much hard work and pain to get back to a point where you can at least stand it, the improvements seemed to come in stages with me. Hopefully, this will give you some solace to hang in there.

Jump to this post

Thank you lawman so true …. I am feeling really positive about pt and mfr release it is going to work ….. sorry to hear your recovery so long and painful sounds like you are doing well now ….thank you for your input does help to know that it does get better….

REPLY
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Nov 20, 2021
In reply to @ezas123 "Update your suggestion worked great I was able to set timer watch a show while i..." + (show)
@ezas123

Update your suggestion worked great I was able to set timer watch a show while i exercised…,many thanks

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Hi everyone just wanted to let you know went to dr yesterday….he is happy my leg going straight but showing concern with no bend ….. he took X-ray of my back normal for me arthritis degeneration, now he wants mri and send me to north east rehab to an md to see if we can figure out if related to not being able to bend my knee…..meanwhile water therapy and mfr helping tremendously….thank you for all the support….. stay safe Happy Thanksgiving to all

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xteach | @xteach | Jun 30, 2022

New to group-I was just wondering if some people are more susceptible to forming scar tissue after TKR. After reading through several comments, I think I'm pretty lucky-so sorry to hear of so many failed replacements. I had TKR 12/ 2020. scar tissue removal 1/22. I feel like it's getting tight again, even though I am very active and do some form of exercise everyday. I was wondering if this will just be something I will have to do to break up scar tissue.

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jun 30, 2022
In reply to @xteach "New to group-I was just wondering if some people are more susceptible to forming scar tissue..." + (show)
@xteach

New to group-I was just wondering if some people are more susceptible to forming scar tissue after TKR. After reading through several comments, I think I'm pretty lucky-so sorry to hear of so many failed replacements. I had TKR 12/ 2020. scar tissue removal 1/22. I feel like it's getting tight again, even though I am very active and do some form of exercise everyday. I was wondering if this will just be something I will have to do to break up scar tissue.

Jump to this post

Good morning @xteach and welcome to Connect. We are a group of patients, caregivers, and providers who truly believe that sharing experiences improves our knowledge of the condition we are living with and presents options for improving our quality of life.

Everyone appears to have some scar tissue after a TKR. I sure did. It was quite a stumbling block for me until I was directed to MFR (myofascial release). It took about six sessions to encourage the fascia to release its restrictions. I have never had to deal with it since then.

And then, as expected, 10 years later I needed a TKR on the left knee which I had a year ago.
This time my surgeon scheduled a pre-surgery and post-surgery PT program that prepared me with a plan to avoid scar tissue buildup. And immediately after the surgery, I began a 3-week program of PT followed by MFR. So far, so good!

You can read about MFR here on Connect. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain.
Here is a link to more information about the role of fascia in our bodies. It is called "strolling under the skin"


And finally, I would like to introduce you to @jenniferhunter. I hope she will have a few moments to introduce you to the hows and whys of managing scar tissue with MFR.

Please let me know if these services provide the knowledge you need about preventing scar tissue buildup. I will be right here to follow up with you.

Here is one more option for you. In the search bar at the top of your screen enter MFR and press the looking glass. That will take you to a list of every post that includes MFR. You can also enter "scar tissue" and see responses that may be helpful.

Looking forward to your response.
Chris

REPLY
1 reply
xteach | @xteach | Jun 30, 2022
In reply to @artscaping "Good morning @xteach and welcome to Connect. We are a group of patients, caregivers, and providers..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good morning @xteach and welcome to Connect. We are a group of patients, caregivers, and providers who truly believe that sharing experiences improves our knowledge of the condition we are living with and presents options for improving our quality of life.

Everyone appears to have some scar tissue after a TKR. I sure did. It was quite a stumbling block for me until I was directed to MFR (myofascial release). It took about six sessions to encourage the fascia to release its restrictions. I have never had to deal with it since then.

And then, as expected, 10 years later I needed a TKR on the left knee which I had a year ago.
This time my surgeon scheduled a pre-surgery and post-surgery PT program that prepared me with a plan to avoid scar tissue buildup. And immediately after the surgery, I began a 3-week program of PT followed by MFR. So far, so good!

You can read about MFR here on Connect. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain.
Here is a link to more information about the role of fascia in our bodies. It is called "strolling under the skin"


And finally, I would like to introduce you to @jenniferhunter. I hope she will have a few moments to introduce you to the hows and whys of managing scar tissue with MFR.

Please let me know if these services provide the knowledge you need about preventing scar tissue buildup. I will be right here to follow up with you.

Here is one more option for you. In the search bar at the top of your screen enter MFR and press the looking glass. That will take you to a list of every post that includes MFR. You can also enter "scar tissue" and see responses that may be helpful.

Looking forward to your response.
Chris

Jump to this post

Wow-I certainly am grateful for the info-I will begin to check out MFR. Thank you!

REPLY
mommaraner | @mommaraner | Aug 2, 2022

I fell down the stairs 2wks post op & fractured a vertibra in lumbar spine. This left me unable to do p.t. 'til I could have an injection of bone cement in vertibra. Almost 4 months post op at this time & scar tissue won't back down. Anyone win the fight against scar tissue?

REPLY
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Aug 4, 2022

Hi @mommaraner and welcome to the group. Sorry you are having difficulty with your scar tissue.
I moved your post here:
How do you treat excess scarring after TKR?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-treat-excess-scarring-after-tkr/
So you could meet people like @xteach, @artscaping, and @ezas123

Are you now doing your PT?

REPLY
dmk | @dmk | Aug 5, 2022

At 15 months post op I still do all the exercises for my new knee as prescribed by my physical therapist! Includes things like stationary bike, strengthening with exercise ankle weights one and two pounders. Rolling down right left of knee with rolling pin center knee done with hands. Other leg strengthening exercises, squats, balancing and endurance exercises 3 times a week. At 65 will keep them up as long as I can. My new knee is awesome!!!
My therapist made sure I didn’t develop and scar tissue using deep tissue massaging which is not fun but I know necessary and taught me the art of using rolling pin which I do to this day. A lot of time and work for me but to date my knee has been awesome!!!

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