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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dduke
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I’m afraid a second opinion will only lead to the same results for me also. As my joints look perfect on X-ray. I suppose I just keep hanging on to the hope that there is someone out there that will have the knowledge to help me. As I sit and write this at 4:00 am , I wonder if my Dr’s even have any idea, or really believe what an ordeal this has been , or what it’s like to go to bed each night, and wake each morning, with the same old pain !!
I really hate that anyone else is going thru this, but at he same time, it strengths me know that there is someone else in the world that does understand my pain.. I have the gabapentin route, I was on Percocet for nine months ( as you say it only dulls the pain) I have tried nerve blocks,also. All to to avail..
I’m still holding on to the hope that someday this nightmare will end for me, and all of you ,who are going thru this.
It is a nerve block. You receive the temporary nerve block twice, one week apart. Each nerve block lasts between a few hours and a few days. They do this to make sure it works and does not damage anything. After that, I will receive a permanent nerve block. We have tried everything, massive P.T. MUA, gels, Celebrex, Lyrica, but I seem to have a very reactive knee. The theory is that with the pain block, I will be able to break the scar tissue and get a better range of motion. If it works, I will no longer have an excuse on the golf course.
Liked by Justin McClanahan
mari
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I’m afraid a second opinion will only lead to the same results for me also. As my joints look perfect on X-ray. I suppose I just keep hanging on to the hope that there is someone out there that will have the knowledge to help me. As I sit and write this at 4:00 am , I wonder if my Dr’s even have any idea, or really believe what an ordeal this has been , or what it’s like to go to bed each night, and wake each morning, with the same old pain !!
I really hate that anyone else is going thru this, but at he same time, it strengths me know that there is someone else in the world that does understand my pain.. I have the gabapentin route, I was on Percocet for nine months ( as you say it only dulls the pain) I have tried nerve blocks,also. All to to avail..
I’m still holding on to the hope that someday this nightmare will end for me, and all of you ,who are going thru this.
INTERESTING, to see u have pain at nite. When I am in bed its the worst. Sometimes I would push leg off the bed with my hands – cause to used my leg to move it = too much pain. I guess I am unusual – walking is not so bad. But miss V-ball.
dduke
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Joined: Jun 14, 2018
I’m afraid a second opinion will only lead to the same results for me also. As my joints look perfect on X-ray. I suppose I just keep hanging on to the hope that there is someone out there that will have the knowledge to help me. As I sit and write this at 4:00 am , I wonder if my Dr’s even have any idea, or really believe what an ordeal this has been , or what it’s like to go to bed each night, and wake each morning, with the same old pain !!
I really hate that anyone else is going thru this, but at he same time, it strengths me know that there is someone else in the world that does understand my pain.. I have the gabapentin route, I was on Percocet for nine months ( as you say it only dulls the pain) I have tried nerve blocks,also. All to to avail..
I’m still holding on to the hope that someday this nightmare will end for me, and all of you ,who are going thru this.
I am 8 months post-TKR. Similar situation. Limited ROM. Had MUA which worked for two days then scar tissue came back. I had aggressive PT right after the MUA. Had nerve block today to no avail. My sister in law had nerve block last week and said it changed her life. I can walk but have difficulty going down stairs or riding a bike. A recumbent bike is OK. Not sure what to do next. 66 years young.
dduke
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Posts: 49
Joined: Jun 14, 2018
I’m afraid a second opinion will only lead to the same results for me also. As my joints look perfect on X-ray. I suppose I just keep hanging on to the hope that there is someone out there that will have the knowledge to help me. As I sit and write this at 4:00 am , I wonder if my Dr’s even have any idea, or really believe what an ordeal this has been , or what it’s like to go to bed each night, and wake each morning, with the same old pain !!
I really hate that anyone else is going thru this, but at he same time, it strengths me know that there is someone else in the world that does understand my pain.. I have the gabapentin route, I was on Percocet for nine months ( as you say it only dulls the pain) I have tried nerve blocks,also. All to to avail..
I’m still holding on to the hope that someday this nightmare will end for me, and all of you ,who are going thru this.
I had the Genicular block today and it did nothing
gailfaith
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I’m afraid a second opinion will only lead to the same results for me also. As my joints look perfect on X-ray. I suppose I just keep hanging on to the hope that there is someone out there that will have the knowledge to help me. As I sit and write this at 4:00 am , I wonder if my Dr’s even have any idea, or really believe what an ordeal this has been , or what it’s like to go to bed each night, and wake each morning, with the same old pain !!
I really hate that anyone else is going thru this, but at he same time, it strengths me know that there is someone else in the world that does understand my pain.. I have the gabapentin route, I was on Percocet for nine months ( as you say it only dulls the pain) I have tried nerve blocks,also. All to to avail..
I’m still holding on to the hope that someday this nightmare will end for me, and all of you ,who are going thru this.
dduke….Sure wish they didn't stop using the passive motion machine to get the ROM back after TKR. I had both knees done 2 years apart and with both they had me on that machine when I woke up from the anesthesia, I ended up with up to 137 degrees of bend with no manual stretching. and both knees now are 14 and 12 yrs old and even though I do ALOT OF WALKING they still show NO signs of wear !!!!! To be specific, just since Aug 2016, I have walked 161 miles!. I just suffered a fractured femur and the plate goes down along side of the prothesis.
They didn't use the machine this time (different Dr), and even though I myself worked to get the bend back. I now only have about
110 degrees of bend….. Functional, but not what I had! gailfaith
lioness
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I’m afraid a second opinion will only lead to the same results for me also. As my joints look perfect on X-ray. I suppose I just keep hanging on to the hope that there is someone out there that will have the knowledge to help me. As I sit and write this at 4:00 am , I wonder if my Dr’s even have any idea, or really believe what an ordeal this has been , or what it’s like to go to bed each night, and wake each morning, with the same old pain !!
I really hate that anyone else is going thru this, but at he same time, it strengths me know that there is someone else in the world that does understand my pain.. I have the gabapentin route, I was on Percocet for nine months ( as you say it only dulls the pain) I have tried nerve blocks,also. All to to avail..
I’m still holding on to the hope that someday this nightmare will end for me, and all of you ,who are going thru this.
@gailfaith Iwas unaware they took the TKR machine away why ?it helped so many people after knee surgery, the more I read about the health system taking away the more scared I get just read medicare,Medicaid want to stop people who where in nursing homes then hospital from going back to nursing home ,what is this government doing to us who need these options for care.Like CBD . Also.
golfshrink
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I’m afraid a second opinion will only lead to the same results for me also. As my joints look perfect on X-ray. I suppose I just keep hanging on to the hope that there is someone out there that will have the knowledge to help me. As I sit and write this at 4:00 am , I wonder if my Dr’s even have any idea, or really believe what an ordeal this has been , or what it’s like to go to bed each night, and wake each morning, with the same old pain !!
I really hate that anyone else is going thru this, but at he same time, it strengths me know that there is someone else in the world that does understand my pain.. I have the gabapentin route, I was on Percocet for nine months ( as you say it only dulls the pain) I have tried nerve blocks,also. All to to avail..
I’m still holding on to the hope that someday this nightmare will end for me, and all of you ,who are going thru this.
They claim that they did studies and found no difference between patients that used the machine and those that did not. Makes no sense to me. Doing nothing while watching TV vs your leg moving is no comparison.
I rented it on my own for 2 extra months and paid out of pocket
Hi there …. yes, I’ve had scar tissue develop also. It developed slowly over time, but by the time I hit the 1 year mark, my surgeon went in – arthroscopically – and cleaned it up. But, it never was right, and in another year I had to have a revision – a totally new replacement. Since then, my knee could not be any better. I don’t know why this happens to some and not to others … but after several other options had been tried, including the arthroscopic surgery, I opted to just do the revision …. I’m glad I did.
abby
What kind of doctor did this procedure. I had a THR 8 months ago. Had an intraoperative fracture that was set with a wire curclage. Initially did well. Developed iliopsoas tendonitis which after 5 months has improved somewhat. Have full range of motion but hip area is very tight – it feels like someone has placed tight strings around my upper leg and butt nusckes and are pulling them in oppositedirections. I have numbness, tingling and pain that is not related to the tendinitis. Recently had mri if hip and also of pelvic and lateral hip sensory nerves. Both showed significant fibrous adhesions. The Otho, not the one who did the surgery, said the scars were caused by the anterior approach and that if I had them removed they would come back. The neurologist and nerve mri diagnosed entrapment of the lateral cutaneous femoral nerve probably from scar tissue. The neurologist said the condition is permanant but I could have the sensory nerve cut to alleviate the pain and that it should be done by a plastic surgeon. She did not know anyone that did this. Most if the time I am more bothered by the tightness. I’m interested in attempting to have the scar tissue removed or at least would like a consult but do not know what kind of doctor does this. Any ideas?
Hello @leithlane, welcome to Connect.
This is an experience very close to my own. I had my right knee replaced in 2006. I also had aggressive scar tissue immediately after my knee replacement. Ultimately, I had to have two post-surgery knee manipulations where they put me back under and broke the scar tissue up by bending my knee manually. Even after those two manipulations I still had issues with scar tissue. It took almost a full year and a half until I ended up breaking the scar tissue loose on my own when I jumped and landed awkwardly. Although it may be frustrating, sticking with your PT is a must.
I would like to invite @mnpat, @basa, @winning, @joanney, @emme, @kerri123, @gailfaith, @cautiousoptimism, @cheris, @ronnie3716, and @amberpep, to this discussion as they have all had knee replacements and may be able to provide some thoughts on their experiences with scar tissue after surgery.
@leithlane, have you heard of or tried a brace with hand cranks on it that you use to help with straightening and bending your knee? What does your therapist/surgeon say about your scar tissue problems?
What’s the brand of knee brace
crazedredhead55
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I had a RTKR in April 2018. My the end of May, I had so much scar tissue that I couldn’t even get up from a seated position ir extend my leg without excruciating pain and crepitus. Scar tissue had frozen my patella, and the ROM was nearly non existent. Had an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions yesterday, and actually feel better despite the surgical pain and swelling. Now on a mission to find out what caused the problem and keep it from happening again!
mari
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dduke
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I had a RTKR in April 2018. My the end of May, I had so much scar tissue that I couldn’t even get up from a seated position ir extend my leg without excruciating pain and crepitus. Scar tissue had frozen my patella, and the ROM was nearly non existent. Had an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions yesterday, and actually feel better despite the surgical pain and swelling. Now on a mission to find out what caused the problem and keep it from happening again!
I also had arthroscopic lysis two weeks ago. The first night I did not sleep, set the alarm for every two hours, stretched, rode exercycle and iced. The next three nights I set the alarm for 2:30 am got up and did my routine. Since then I have been doing the routine every three hours except for 6 hours at night. Resting ROM 105, stressed ROM 120. Need to get my resting ROM up.
@golfshrink
I’m curious what venicular block is. Are you doing it for pain or the hope to get more flex? When I really push it I can get 115/120 but would like more so I can go back to sports. Nerve pain is still there at night but def better than it had been.