Scar tissue after knee replacement
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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Just wondering where all you lovely people are from.as I am.from.Australia. Post op 12months bad scar tisdue ruined my life so tight can hardly walk or do lots. I get very exhausted to do anything really. The pain most days arex8/9 and are desperate. So I read all theses stories hoping there help.out there.. I had a manipulation early on 7weeks postop but no difference. Had a second opinion and scans and tests tell me nothing so Surgeon said nothing can be done..Please let me no more on your experiences and where you are from.. Some days I just want to die or cut my knee off. I had it done to go caravanning with my husband not no more. I am literally housebound with pain and fearing of a fall..I just need answers so reading theses stories give me hope..And has anyone had Lazer for Scar tisdue at all..Would love to here more . I.am.64 this year and do not wannaive my life out like this I cry all the time and has given me depression.. I do.not want to give up so I keep trying to exercise even though I am in agony. I feel useless and just found out I am going to be a Granny which breaks my heart. I am going to be useless cannot even do my walks anymore. Decasted the Doctors just say nothing to be done but I am not done yet. Many Thanks
Thanks for this I would appreciate and information as it's so bad and stiff swollen and lumps around my knee cap still. On pain all the time so that would be great. Many thanks hope you can pass on any info.. Debbie
7 weeks out from TKR. Had manual manipulation done this past monday. Every day is a struggle. I must develop scar tissue in minutes as I go to PT every day and work through some horrid pain in bending. Today the therapist pressed into my knee scars and I just about vomited because of pain. Is this typical? Also what is osteopathic manipulation and how do u find one and get Medicate and supplement to pay? I am so tired of the swelling and tingling toes this just cannot be good for you!!!! I ice all the time, I do home pt do formal pt 5 days a week i need a break from this pain and swelling suggestions?
Good evening @krenn........sorry for being a little late getting back to you. I have surgery scheduled next week and the last couple of days have been all those supportive appointments.
Yes, @krenn, I do mean that the MFR therapist was able to correct the issue completely in six weeks and it has never returned. What we did with the second TKR was to have the PT at the clinic talk with my MFR therapist so that they were working together. I even scheduled the appointments back to back. PT first and then MFR. I had no scar tissue problems with this joint replacement.
Eliminating the scar tissue made it easier to achieve the flexion goal. It seems you are having a bit of regression with that mobility issue......as you say...."its stuck". I sort of forced my way through this "flex test" until I got to 137. Now I just have to maintain it.
I am so sorry that you are in constant pain. Are you using lots of ice and elevating your leg above your heart? Just so you have the latest information about MFR and how it can help, I am going to introduce you to @jenniferhunter. She and I rate MFR quite highly. Let's see what Jennifer has to contribute.
Hang in there........we are here for you.
Chris
Look for someone that does myofascial release. I go to my PT and have it done. It's a type of massage that "should" release the tight muscles. I'm 2.5 years out from TKR. When I leave her office it feels great, but then it returns. Hope this helps. Here's a link to explain it.
https://myofascialrelease.com/
Thanks for that I will give it a go anything that will help much appreciated for any information 👍.
I have very similar situation. I also need a right shoulder replacement. Dr. said to put that off as long as possible, I was in my 60's then. I'm 76 now. So far that has been manageble.
I had a right TKR 5 weeks ago. I have a constant pain in that knee (like a toothache) I have good movment in the joint. My left knee isn't much better, but I really would not want to go thru this again so I hope it holds out for a long time.
Welcome @keeneau1, Sorry to hear you are having constant pain in your knee with the TKR. 5 weeeks is still pretty early in the recovery cycle. Are you icing and elevating the leg regularly during the day? Have you discussed the pain with your surgeon?
I see my surgeon this week. I'm sure he will remind me that I had knee surgery, of course it will hurt! He doesn't seem like a very compassionate guy. But I never had this done before so I have no idea if it's normal. PT says that I am doing excellent with my mobility. I take 100 mg of gabapentin twice a day. Doesn't seem to do anything except make me "antsy". I can't sit still, sitting laying down, standing walking all the time. I am only on tylenol and use ice routinely. Elevating leg hurts the whole back of my leg and my back can't stand doing it.
@keeneau1 - It's probably good that you can't sit still but some rest is part of the recovery. I had my right knee replaced about the same age as you had yours done. I was lucky to have a good surgeon that encouraged me to do both pre-surgery and post-surgery exercises to strengthen the knee and leg. I was still doing the exercises which included flattening or straigtening the leg which may be the reason I didn't have any pain elevating the leg. Elevating can mean just resting the leg on another chair or small table. Here's some information that may help you know a little more of what's normal.
https://www.arthritis-health.com/surgery/knee-surgery/knee-replacement-recovery-weeks-4-6
Do you have any swelling of your knee or leg?