Pain months after TKR, how do you know if it is scar build up?

@teak, you ask a good question. If someone is suffering from pain months after a total knee replacement, how do you know if the pain is caused by scar tissue build up or not? I moved your question where this is often discussed in the Joint Replacements group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/joint-replacements/

Please see the previous posts in this discussion:
- How do you treat excess scarring after TKR? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-treat-excess-scarring-after-tkr/

Teak, have you talked to your surgeon about the pain? What was suggested? How is physical therapy going?

I went through something similar with my TKR , after 10 -12 months I was in such pain and was told it was scar tissue, I found a therapist who worked mainly on scar tissue. After 3 days of him beating the hell out of my knee he gave up and said no way it was scar tissue , that it has to be nerve damage. Numerous doctors have since agreed with him. I can only suggest finding a good therapist who has more than just passing knowledge of scar tissue. Ask around nothing beats good word of mouth advertisement . Best of luck , don't stop moving

I’m trying blading, also call the Graston Technique.
https://www.opcnyc.com/blog/graston-technique-surgery-scar-tissue
I had Tkr 10 weeks ago and it’s still painful to get up or sit down. And at night.
This is my last shot at getting some relief. I’ve had two treatments targeting both shoulders, one replaced that I had rotator cuff surgery on in May and the other that I’ve had several surgeries on. I have a lot of pain with the replaced one and very limited range of motion.
Both knees have now been replaced and both still hurt.
I can tell a slight improvement, or maybe it’s my imagination. At this point it’s the only thing left to try.

Hello, I totally identify with your pain. It is absolutely exhausting! I am 13 months out and had a nerve ablation about a week ago. Ablation Usually only done after a year. Pain is less but feel like things are being pulled inside when I move, walking, stairs, biking, swimming. Tried shock wave therapy a few months ago but it wasn’t strong enough to do much about scar tissue. May try focused shock wave if not more improvement. I did everything the PT told me to do, daily exercises for 6 months, now twice a week plus swimming and cycling. Plus take meds at night to sleep and diclofenac during day as needed. cBD cream works well but very expensive and greasy. Keep moving as much as possible to prevent excess scarring. Have to remember you have about a one pound weight in your joint. Every day is a new day for me. Good luck!

Exhausting is the correct word.
Would you do the nerve Ablation if you had it to do over?
Doctors act like I’m a junkie when I ask for tramadol! I’m 74. If I were going to become an addict it would have happened before now.

I am 6 weeks out of revision …. But I can say my first tkr I was never pain free was always tight…, but my replacement was two times to big … so that was big issue for me also created a lot of scar tissue ..,, caused hip issues that I am addressing now …. Happy to say after few appointments with good chiropractor it is getting better… I would say talk to dr rule out infection and other possible issues I would also get second opinion never hurts ……another that has helped me is myofascial release mfr …. Helps with scar tissue and just loosen everything up…..good luck

The ablation was very minimal and the pain is less but not gone. A diagnostic test is done first and then the real deal. Very quick and relatively painless. If it wears off I can get another in 6 months which I will do if needed. I was taking 100 mg trazadone at night but made me spacey in am. Now take Lyrica and cbd/melatonin at night. Hopefully can get rid of Lyrica soon, gradually. Recommend getting myofascial release therapy as soon as possible to help prevent excessive scar tissue.

I’ve gotten in touch with a therapist and am waiting to get an appointment.
Thank you so much.

I’ve been done with physical therapy for a 3 months now. I was able to stop as I had reached my goals and everything else I could do at home. Yes, spoke with Surgeon and he suggested I ride a stationery bike which I do occasionally. C-ray taken and everything looked fine but I know it’s not, I shouldn’t be having this much pain.