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Scar tissue after knee replacement

Posted by sinhar @sinhar, May 28, 2023

I have had 3 procedures for my right knee. After my first my knee would not bend very much so my doctor manipulated my knee under anesthesia to break up tissue. But I went back and formed more tissue and I had unusual bone formation. So my doctor waited a year until the bone was mature and did another replacement. During surgery he said there was a lot of scarring. I took strong inflammatory, did ice therapy, and excercises. But it appears that I have more scar tissue. My range of motion is limited and my knee hurts when I walk. I still try to bike in a recumbent bike and walk.

My question is do I just live with this? I am afraid if we do anything the scarring is just going to come back. Maybe I am just prone to making a lot of scar tissue.

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scorpiocan61 | @scorpiocan61 | May 30, 2023

I will do all I can to avoid a MUA. I fear that the scarring will just never end, and also as a heart patient I don't want bloodclots.
I've had a very unstable INR since the surgery. It had been stable for 2 years prior to that.

REPLY
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 31, 2023

My experience, and I've had both knees replaced, is that strengthening the muscles around the knee prior to surgery makes recovery must more tolerable. I did this for one year prior to each TKR working with a trainer/kinesiologist. And then, absolutely obsessing over the post-op exercises. I believe this keeps scar tissue way down.

The quadriceps and hamstring muscles hold the knee components in place. Post op PT gets you back to 120 degrees or more of flexion and zero degrees, or very near zero, of etension. From there, you can slowly add strength to these muscle groups and "tighten" the knee capsule.

In my opinion, this prevents scar tissue and also helps to reduce or eliminate clicking sounds from the prostheses.

Now everyone is different. I'm a 68 y/o gym rat who still works with a trainer. And people with other replacements, or spinal fusion, should consult with an expert before getting into any of this.

Once scar tissue has formed, I'm not sure it can be totally removed or broken up. So I'm sorry if this advice isn't very useful to you. All the best.

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1 reply
sinhar | @sinhar | May 31, 2023
In reply to @heyjoe415 "My experience, and I've had both knees replaced, is that strengthening the muscles around the knee..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

My experience, and I've had both knees replaced, is that strengthening the muscles around the knee prior to surgery makes recovery must more tolerable. I did this for one year prior to each TKR working with a trainer/kinesiologist. And then, absolutely obsessing over the post-op exercises. I believe this keeps scar tissue way down.

The quadriceps and hamstring muscles hold the knee components in place. Post op PT gets you back to 120 degrees or more of flexion and zero degrees, or very near zero, of etension. From there, you can slowly add strength to these muscle groups and "tighten" the knee capsule.

In my opinion, this prevents scar tissue and also helps to reduce or eliminate clicking sounds from the prostheses.

Now everyone is different. I'm a 68 y/o gym rat who still works with a trainer. And people with other replacements, or spinal fusion, should consult with an expert before getting into any of this.

Once scar tissue has formed, I'm not sure it can be totally removed or broken up. So I'm sorry if this advice isn't very useful to you. All the best.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I did everything but my body just likes to make scar tissue. I suppose I just have to live with it.

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ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jun 1, 2023

Hey Joe is right …. You have to keep on working at it it regardless how much scar tissue your body builds … I am just like you my body build scar tissue faster …. I have had my ups and downs trust me …. But keep exercising and trying new things …. Right now I am just rebounding from swollen knee had to stop using bike , walking everything I like to do for a bit …. My chiropractor starting from feet up insert in shoes , graston on feet and thigh , cuping on lower back this was all within last week and now tightness just about gone in back of knee , swelling gone also….. she told me tkr throws your whole body off so we can’t just treat the knee … because that is what I was doing for months , it helped the pain in my knee for day or two but no long term relief… now I am seeing longer results…. God willing this continues because it is awesome to not have pain with every step…. Hope you find what helps you

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1 reply
sinhar | @sinhar | Jun 2, 2023
In reply to @ezas123 "Hey Joe is right …. You have to keep on working at it it regardless how..." + (show)
@ezas123

Hey Joe is right …. You have to keep on working at it it regardless how much scar tissue your body builds … I am just like you my body build scar tissue faster …. I have had my ups and downs trust me …. But keep exercising and trying new things …. Right now I am just rebounding from swollen knee had to stop using bike , walking everything I like to do for a bit …. My chiropractor starting from feet up insert in shoes , graston on feet and thigh , cuping on lower back this was all within last week and now tightness just about gone in back of knee , swelling gone also….. she told me tkr throws your whole body off so we can’t just treat the knee … because that is what I was doing for months , it helped the pain in my knee for day or two but no long term relief… now I am seeing longer results…. God willing this continues because it is awesome to not have pain with every step…. Hope you find what helps you

Jump to this post

I have been doing Pilates and that has helped my back. Thank you for your encouragement.

REPLY
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jun 2, 2023

You’re welcome …. Trust me I know how frustrating and all the ups and downs …. And I do allow myself to fell down but I cannot afford to live there lol ….

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