Scar tissue after knee replacement

My husband had a TKR in November & manipulation in January. He also has burning nerve pain which has been told that is normal as nerve tissue is rejuvenating itself. Pain meds have not helped, sometimes a heating pad has helped, but Ice is probably best along with a lot of massage. He has been told by the doctors this is part of the healing process unfortunately & its to be expected.

It is like all these things are dismissed as 'expected' rather than brutally hard to cope with. And the implication that was is expected - no matter how gruesome - is acceptable because it is possible. Why not do some research on these sufferers?

My initial replacement was done March 2018 and it was painful from Day 1. It took 17 doctors, almost 5 years and 4 additional surgeries to get to the bottom of the situation. I had an unknown allergy to the metal in the initial replacement (along with a foot broken in that surgery) that caused pain that was so “unusual” for the doctors, it was more often dismissed than addressed. I am currently 6 weeks into a total revision, which is painful - but mostly because of the additional bone trauma from the revision and soft tissue trauma from the metal allergy. It’s specific and palatable. Get as specific as you can with your pain and if the doctor won’t listen - leave him / her. You live in your body. Not them and you HAVE to be your own advocate.

Yes nine months ago had a manipulation but still bad stiff hardly walk pain frustration.

Welcome @deboo. Sorry to hear that your knee is still stiff and painful. Do you follow-up with physical therapy?

No I am in the same boat 10months post op and is the worse thing I ever did. I can hardly walk do most every day things have to sit every now and again..Its so swollen getting hard lumps on my knee..I have tried it all with no luck I am desperate also..I read about Lazer but do not no much about it..Would also love to hear anyone's experiences to see if this will.help. Thanks I hope you 🙏 can get relief be keeping updating on this page..

Good evening @deboo, I can sense your frustration and disappointment. And I am so sorry that the MUA did not work well for you. When you write that your knee is swollen and I am assuming painful then it is time to take another look at your options.

Perhaps I can offer a couple more of those options. First......the scar tissue that has formed may be the culprit here. If so, I know of one way to remove it and that is MFR, myofascial release therapy. That is the only way I found relief from the scar tissue with my first TKR. I just had my second one last August and immediately began PT and MFR the day after surgery. The result was no scar tissue.

Please respond if you would like more information. In the meantime, you may want to try a Yoga pose called "legs up the wall". You can Google it or look on youtube. The goal is to release the scar tissue so that the swelling declines and the MFR therapist can move the fluid material up your thigh into your pelvic area so that it evacuates when you urinate.

I will watch for your reply to @colleenyoung about physical therapy. Is there anything else you can share about your post-surgery exercise program?

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

My take is to do the revision so you can maintain your mobility. Technology is moving ahead rapidly. For mine, I find KT tape helps somewhat, but mine is more of an issue with hypermobility and bad alignment of hip/knee/ankle. I certainly empathize with your misery.

My problem may be a little different. Had first replacement (rt), in 2010. VERY dedicated to PT and fabulous results! Danced at a concert and traveled to a reunion, at 6 weeks. Current issue is I was told to "wait", by PA, though he had told me I was eligible 2 years before, for TKR. Told him my lt. knee would "give out", with no warning. 6 weeks later, fell directly on that knee (gave out) and broke my patella. Had to wait 5 months, to have replacement. Patella had to heal, with wires wrapped around. Again, very dedicated to PT. Now, 15 months after TKR, returned to ortho and told I have scar tissue from patella repair. Using the "roller" device but MUST live on Advil, also. Even with that, very painful to walk and navigate stairs. Any other suggestions? Just use Advil (400 mg) twice a day, to barely function?

I had bad sciatica after my first TKR. 1trip to my Chiropractor solved my problem. Anything is worth a try.
I am 6 months out from my 1st TKR and 3 from my second. My biggest issue is continuing stiffness and pain when standing from sitting. Hopefully all will continue to get better. ROM in both knees is great.