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Chronic knee pain after knee replacement with excessive scar tissue formation

Posted by SMargelz @smargelz, Nov 17, 2012

Has anyone else had a similar experience. I am 3 years post op. I have had a MUA 3 months after first surgery. I had arthroscopic surgery 6 months later with some improvement, but 1 year later, pain and heaviness returned, has not gotten better. I have lost initial gains especially in bending my knee. it is a constant problem no orthopedic doctor seems to know what to do about it. I have had numerous PT visits, pool therapy and exercises,myofacial therapy, chiropractic therapy, ASTYM therapy,I am now wearing a steel brace for extra stability, but doctors can find nothing wrong with the original knee surgery?

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Jmacvol | @jmacvol | Oct 12, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

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Thank you but I'll wait to see what the Rochester Minnesota Mayo Clinic has to say.

REPLY
tallteri | @tallteri | Oct 12, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

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I am fortunate to live in Illinois- Medical Marijuana is legal here. My daughter works for one of Pain Clinics in Peoria. She is amazed by the pain relief patients have after "edibles" or other means of using medical marijuana. The only drawback is that it takes 45 days for a patient to receive their first "dose". This is due to State pre-authorization process
As she says "Opiods have so many side effects & marijuana is a naturally grown plant" With no side effects to the body, other than pain relief.

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Jmacvol | @jmacvol | Oct 13, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

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I wish we had access to medical marijuana here in Virginia.

REPLY
bettyjo | @bettyjo | Oct 13, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

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It is difficult to stay positive and not get depressed isn't it. I used to be very active before I fell down the steps and tore my meniscus which started it all. I have been from the Outer Banks where we live to VA Beach, to Washington, DC and finally Chicago and Dr. Finn. This is my final surgery. I will just have to live with it, if possible. Hopefully the Mayo is your answer.

REPLY
Jmacvol | @jmacvol | Oct 13, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

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From the Outer Banks. My brother in law is Virgil Willis and owns Lee Robinson's General Store in Hatteras Village. I was stationed in Buxton while in the Navy in the late 60's. We love to go there from time to time. Small world.

REPLY
bettyjo | @bettyjo | Oct 13, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

Jump to this post

I don't know your brother in law but know Lee Robinson's General Store. Hatteras got hammered from the hurricane. Go from time to time but I don't know how people live there. It is a small world. Hatteras is a great place to visit but this girl needs a city and bigger than Kill Devil Hills where we are. We own a business here.

REPLY
tallteri | @tallteri | Oct 13, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

Jump to this post

Dear @bettyjo, Please keep us updated on your progress with Dr.Finn. You are a very good spirited woman! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers !

REPLY
tallteri | @tallteri | Oct 17, 2016

I read that there is a series of injections to relieve pain after TKR. These injections help to prevent "Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy" which I believe is the result of pain that causes nerves to engulf other nerves.

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4 replies
bettyjo | @bettyjo | Oct 18, 2016
In reply to @tallteri "I read that there is a series of injections to relieve pain after TKR. These injections..." + (show)
@tallteri

I read that there is a series of injections to relieve pain after TKR. These injections help to prevent "Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy" which I believe is the result of pain that causes nerves to engulf other nerves.

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I have never heard of it but rest assured I will check it out

REPLY
bettyjo | @bettyjo | Oct 18, 2016
In reply to @touchdown "Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon..." + (show)
@touchdown

Surgery Oct 2012, 1st manipulation Jan 2013, 2nd manipulation (by different surgeon) March 2013. 2nd surgeon said I had inherited a gene from my mother causing excessive scar tissue. Was told to continue PT. PT said that I healed so fast they couldn't treat me. Recently had follow up with surgeon. His reply to my question Is there any thing else that can be done? was he could cut my knee open & "loosen" my knee. If I have the left knee replaced, since they know about the scar tissue issue, they will put that knee in looser. I began therapy in Oct. & am still going. Surgeon's first suggestion was that I have a series of pain shots because I might have Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy. I am on my 6th shot. The theory is that the pain causes the nerves to engulf other nerves. If the pain is controlled I will be able to withstand more aggressive therapy. The extraneous pain seems to be controlled ( pain in other knee, pain up thigh into groin, lower back pain on that side) but not the pain in my knee. No pain pill ever helped. I am receiving acupuncture but see no difference. In therapy my knee tends to range 45-75 degrees and it varies daily. I will not have another surgery because I can't comprehend how that won't cause more scar tissue or how he will know just how much to "loosen" my knee. Mentally I can not take much more. I hope this helps you, perhaps at least by knowing there is another is a similar situation.

Jump to this post

thanks so much. When I left there he said he had done all he could for me.

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