Scar tissue removal - is it the right thing to do?

Posted by krenn @krenn, Jun 8, 2023

61 yr old active female - my story in a short summary
Right Knee 2019 Meniscus repair surgery - fail
2020 Partial Knee Replacement - fail
2021 Oct TKR
2022 Oct - was schedule for scar tissue removal, surgeon attempted MUA before opening up knee again, seemed successful, but went backwards due to scar tissues.
Currently my knee is stuck at 75 - 80 degrees flexion, extension is 100% (full extension). Cannot do stairs, cannot ride bike at all, cannot kayak (something I love- we live on a river in NC) In constant pain daily. My knee feels like it has cement sitting on top of it.
I am scheduled in 2 weeks 6/22/23 to have scar tissue removal.
I have read success stories and failure stories. I was so active, I am not willing to settle with my knee the way it currently is, I may have to but I want to try anything I can go get it moving. I have done Myofascial release therapy, cupping, needling.... I am at a loss.
Any thoughts would be welcomed and appreciated.

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I've read through some of these comments and was wondering, what causes scar tissue formation after a TKR?

I had both knees replaced last year. I'm a 68 y/o male. I worked with a trainer for six months prior to the surgeries to get my knees as fit as possible, given the bone on bone pain. IMMEDIATELY after the surgery, I started working with a PT twice a week and doing the exercises I was given three times a day, every day. On my PT days, I did the exercises twice more each day. I followed this without exception and my knees reached 130 degrees of flexion, extension at zero.

I'm still in the gym 6 or 7 days a week. I work on everything - legs, back, core and others. My legs are extremely fit and there is no clicking or any noise at all.

I believe it takes a lot of work by the patient for a successful recovery from TKR. There is no downtime after the surgery.

My understanding is that scar tissue will form from inactivity. If this is true, then people going to the trouble of having scar tissue removed should be vigilant about post-op exercising.

My surgeon said that, in his opinion, a successful recovery from TKR is 10% the skill of the surgeon, technology, and the surgery team - and 90% the result of the work the patient does pre and post surgery. I agree.

Now maybe scar tissue forms for some other reasons. I just suggest that people considering TKR keep these things in mind. I feel like a new person with these new knees, and I'm not gonna let all that hard work go to waste.

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New to Clinic, so "HI" to everyone! I'm an 82 year old 3 yr widow. I have had right knee replacement, both hips replaced, back surgery with rods in my back, both shoulders replaced. I am guilty of not doing the exercises at home after PT. As a result, I can't walk very far without pain. Of course, now I desperately want to do something to regain the ability to walk. It is so very depressing not to be able to do things because of this limitation. Is there any hope for me?

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@nodine4

New to Clinic, so "HI" to everyone! I'm an 82 year old 3 yr widow. I have had right knee replacement, both hips replaced, back surgery with rods in my back, both shoulders replaced. I am guilty of not doing the exercises at home after PT. As a result, I can't walk very far without pain. Of course, now I desperately want to do something to regain the ability to walk. It is so very depressing not to be able to do things because of this limitation. Is there any hope for me?

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My best advice to start to move again is see your dr and get a script for water therapy…..very beneficial in getting you moving again without putting so much stress on your body ….it may take a bit but I do believe will get you going in right direction …. Never too late to improve our physical health….. our odds of better recovery if you continue exercising after pt … but I am sure you know that …..but you can do different this time and water therapy might be great place to start …..but definitely call your dr for appointment see if you have any limitations before you get into anything you don’t want to hurt yourself….good luck hope you can get moving

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@krenn

It does feel like I have a brick sitting on my knee... the way I describe is that it feels like my knee is in a vice and someone is pushing on it all the time. You are the first person that has given me some sense of what could be going on inside my knee. From day one after the TKR in 2021, I have felt and even said out loud that something did not feel right. I discussed with my surgeon and also his PA. They take x-rays each time I go in, I asked for an MRI with no avail.
Under the circumstances, I would be okay with the flexion that I have but it is the intense pain and ache that I deal with. It is off the scale! I do get tired of those that insinuate that I did not put in the work, I did! I just pray that when he opens my knee back up that it is obvious what is going on. I want to come back and post the findings afterwards in hopes that it will help others. Again, THANK YOU!

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Since January 2020 I’ve had post total knee replacement pain and the feeling of having cement in my knee. All tests are normal mri show some scar tissue and tendonitis. I’m a king pain medication so I can function my bend is good I can squat ride a bike and walk so I’m reluctant to do further surgery. The agonizing pain is my problem

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@heyjoe415

I've read through some of these comments and was wondering, what causes scar tissue formation after a TKR?

I had both knees replaced last year. I'm a 68 y/o male. I worked with a trainer for six months prior to the surgeries to get my knees as fit as possible, given the bone on bone pain. IMMEDIATELY after the surgery, I started working with a PT twice a week and doing the exercises I was given three times a day, every day. On my PT days, I did the exercises twice more each day. I followed this without exception and my knees reached 130 degrees of flexion, extension at zero.

I'm still in the gym 6 or 7 days a week. I work on everything - legs, back, core and others. My legs are extremely fit and there is no clicking or any noise at all.

I believe it takes a lot of work by the patient for a successful recovery from TKR. There is no downtime after the surgery.

My understanding is that scar tissue will form from inactivity. If this is true, then people going to the trouble of having scar tissue removed should be vigilant about post-op exercising.

My surgeon said that, in his opinion, a successful recovery from TKR is 10% the skill of the surgeon, technology, and the surgery team - and 90% the result of the work the patient does pre and post surgery. I agree.

Now maybe scar tissue forms for some other reasons. I just suggest that people considering TKR keep these things in mind. I feel like a new person with these new knees, and I'm not gonna let all that hard work go to waste.

Jump to this post

Hi, after surgery, I had a lot of swelling for a long time. This interfered with PT manipulations. I even had a procedure done to loosen scar tissue, but the same thing happened and it wasn’t for lack of trying on my part.
I did everything that the PT had me doing, but only gained 90% bending it back. It really interferes with every aspect of maintaining good physical fitness.

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I also thought I was all by myself with what I've been feeling. Right Partial took a good 4 years to feel 90%- so when the L needed attention (only after a bunch of other procedures didnt work for long) I opted for a full knee- thinking that I would bounce back quicker..WRONG. 2 years in and it hurts, my knee now clicks and pops-feels super tight, I don't use a cane, but I also don't walk far. The Dr says xrays look good & they can't do manipulation, yet some of you all have had it done. depression sets in, frustration.. anger and to top it off I am getting fat. I am at the point where I will travel to find a good surgeon that can fix me, I would love to be able to enjoy my 50th bday next year. Based on you alls experience.. what do I do, what do I tell Dr so they MOVE ON IT? TIA
I did PT (started 2 days after surgery) I did the pool exercise, and I soak in a hot tub a few times a week..

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I am 16 months out and have soreness, stiffness and have done PT 4 times now. I went to a different Dr. in the same practice and he sent me for a bone scan to check where my inflammation is and I did the scan after PT so I know it was hurting...waiting for results. Nothing vascular, or no nerve issue but something is causing it. I totally get wanting to get back to where you were and I'm the same. Not asking for perfection just tired of hurting every afternoon/evening being so active like I always have. I cannot walk long distances without hurting and my strength just doesn't seem to be coming back. From below my knee to above my knee I feel a really tightness when I stretch or bend and my ROM is 122. Best of luck and would love to hear what you find out.

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