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Scar tissue after knee replacement

Posted by leithlane @leithlane, Jan 31, 2017

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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kibe75 | @kibe75 | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @kibe75 "Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement...." + (show)
@kibe75

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

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Thanks for the reply. I was threatened with a manipulation, but with very aggressive, painful PT have thankfully avoided that. Now the only thing is my extension, I'm close but keep regressing about every other week. My surgeon and physical therapist think that when that comes the pain should go down, I sure hope so. I have a cruise planned in August and have cancelled the excursion we had planned one day because the description changed and said to expect 2.5 hours of walking on cobblestone roads, which could be uneven. I'm too afraid of either not being up to walking that far or tripping on the cobblestones and hurting myself. I am sad at the thought of not doing something with the rest of my family, but need to look out for myself and my knee too.

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winning | @winning | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @kibe75 "Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement...." + (show)
@kibe75

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

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I ride my bike a lot as walking becomes painful. When I walk my leg swells and it’s been 5 years. Dr stopped my p/t as was not doing me any good. Just lots of pain. Tend to ignore the pain , ice works somewhat. Golf causes pain and swelling. Comes down to what you are willing to put up with.

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tudorbeach | @tudorbeach | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @tudorbeach "I also developed scar tissue, immediately following surgery, I was told it was genetic. I refused..." + (show)
@tudorbeach

I also developed scar tissue, immediately following surgery, I was told it was genetic. I refused manipulation as I had such severe swelling and bruising after surgery. With aggressive and very painful PT I was able to get to 110 degrees, which I am at currently, at 11 weeks out. I have 2 PT sessions left and then will continue with my home exercising program. Hopefully all this snow will melt soon so I can begin some serious walking

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Thanks

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pamstravel | @pamstravel | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @kibe75 "Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement...." + (show)
@kibe75

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

Jump to this post

You will do just fine on the cruise. I am in the industry and leave for Hawaii...on a 6+ hour plane ride. I am optimistic. Will wear a knee brace, take advil and got a seat with extra room. But walking on cobblestones and in August? You should go for it. I will be doing the same in Italy and Croatia the end of May. I am hell bent to do this trip in particular which also involves a 10 day cruise on a small ship with 200+ passengers. No opiods for me. Just OTC stuff. Just do it. You can always cancel a shore excursion 24 hours in advance. Better to have your spot reserved.

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pamstravel | @pamstravel | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @homebrew "I have been through it all. Now I have been taking spinal pain shots. They haven't..." + (show)
@homebrew

I have been through it all. Now I have been taking spinal pain shots. They haven't worked at all. So I am going to have a pain implant put in and will see if that helps. I don't want a revision done on the TKR.

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You deserve a medal for sure. I am assuming you do home exercises and move around as much as you can?

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pamstravel | @pamstravel | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @cobweb "I had my tkr done 5 years ago, still swells especially in water therapy. That is..." + (show)
@cobweb

I had my tkr done 5 years ago, still swells especially in water therapy. That is why i went to stem cells for the other knee. All i can say is live with it and try to strengthen the leg as best you can. My surgeon just shrugged his shoulders and said move on. I noticed in my years of dealing with it is some really do well and others do not and they have the same surgeons. Pain pills and i do not get along so working out and doing my exercises is all i can recommend. If i had do overs i would never had the tkr done. Next life will be different.

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I agree 100% with you. Had no clue it was going to be this tough after a TKR. Exercises and ice is all I know now after 3 months out. AND my life will be different, next time, too.!

REPLY
pamstravel | @pamstravel | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @kibe75 "Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement...." + (show)
@kibe75

Hi. Just joined today after finding this thread while googling about scar tissue after knee replacement. I am 42 years old and 6 weeks out from a partial knee replacement, at my post op visit this week was basically scolded by the PA I saw about my flexion and extension (9-100) and was told with "only" a partial I should be back to my pre-op of 0-130 and break up the scar tissue. I left that visit so discouraged. I have been doing my physical therapy religiously daily, but the pain has been so bad that I'm in tears most days. The PA upped my physical therapy appointments back to 3x/week. My physical therapist said yesterday that he feels somewhat responsible in the development of the scar tissue because he should have been more aggressive from the beginning but because of the severe pain I was in backed off some hoping that as the pain subsided I would be able to tolerate more. Well, the pain hasn't subsided but I'm still having to push more through the pain to try to get "normal". I was in tears at physical therapy from the pushing he was doing on the knee to get it to bend further and to break up that tissue. I'm back on the Diclofenac I was pre surgery to try to help with the inflammation and was given Tramadol to take before PT and at night to help with the pain, unfortunately that doesn't really help much. I feel like every time I call my surgeon's office to ask for something more for the pain I'm treated like a drug seeker. I was told that if I don't make significant progress in the next couple of weeks, I would probably be needing a manipulation. I've been through 3 surgeries in the past year (knee scope-where the severe osteoarthritis was discovered, the partial knee replacement, and gallbladder removal), that thinking about anesthesia again makes me ill - and I'm almost out of medical leave benefit. My emotions are all over the place these days. Thanks for letting me vent, for reading, and for helping me to realize I'm not so alone in this journey.

Jump to this post

pain management for me is 2 advil every 4 hours with food. I tried 3 different kinds of opiods. Just couldn't do it in light of todays political climate. Ice is my best friend as well as a heating pad. I also have a LED lite therapy wrap I use from time to time on the knee. I truly feel like a warrior.

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golfshrink | @golfshrink | Mar 25, 2018

I’m 53 and had a double total knee replacement 3 1/2 months ago. I knew it was going to be hard work, but it’s been an agonizing winter. My Dr opted to do an early manipulation when I could only get 90 degree flex.
The manipulation allowed me to get to 125 degrees, but progressively my flex lessened even though I did daily, brutal PT. After being treated like a failure by my surgeon and enduring screaming crying PT sessions, I opted to go with a gentler approach. I’m praying I’m making the right decision as everyone has scared the crap out of me that I have a limited time before scar tissue can’t be moved.
I see a massage therapist twice a week who specializes in lymphatic drainage and a PT person who doesn’t force my knees to bend, but has me use gravity to improve flex and strength. I also use theCMS machine even though studies say they don’t help.
Ok- that was a long winded intro to ask if anyone has ever used the pulsating massagers that supposedly can break up scar tissue . Thinking about getting one, but seems to good to be true.

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4 replies
gordoapa | @gordoapa | Mar 30, 2018

I had tkr on January 29,2018. I had 10 therapy sessions with the Pt. I had my pt manipulate the scar tissue with her thumbs on every sessions, I did my exercises at the gym. She also did dry kneedling when ever she found a tight spot on the thigh that was hindering the bend. The last few days I was instructed to bend my knee every 30 minutes even if I was sitting in a chair. I had a steady progress with many hours of hard work. She finally discharged me yesterday. I was very fortunate to be able to measure at 142 degree bend. I owe my success to lots of scar tissue manipulation by the Pt and the spinning bike. I was also very religious doing all the exercises I was told to do. I still can feel little snapping of the scar tissue in the knee while I’m biking. I had my other knee replaced in 2011 and it has a bend 146 degrees. I just wanted to share my success story so it might be an inspiration for someone.

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4 replies
golfshrink | @golfshrink | Mar 30, 2018
In reply to @gordoapa "I had tkr on January 29,2018. I had 10 therapy sessions with the Pt. I had..." + (show)
@gordoapa

I had tkr on January 29,2018. I had 10 therapy sessions with the Pt. I had my pt manipulate the scar tissue with her thumbs on every sessions, I did my exercises at the gym. She also did dry kneedling when ever she found a tight spot on the thigh that was hindering the bend. The last few days I was instructed to bend my knee every 30 minutes even if I was sitting in a chair. I had a steady progress with many hours of hard work. She finally discharged me yesterday. I was very fortunate to be able to measure at 142 degree bend. I owe my success to lots of scar tissue manipulation by the Pt and the spinning bike. I was also very religious doing all the exercises I was told to do. I still can feel little snapping of the scar tissue in the knee while I’m biking. I had my other knee replaced in 2011 and it has a bend 146 degrees. I just wanted to share my success story so it might be an inspiration for someone.

ReplY

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That’s an absolutely amazing degree of flexibility! Did you have a steady increase, or was it more towards the end when the swelling went down.? I’ve noticed a shift in just the last couple of days. My walking is almost normal. I’m just coming off of the golf course having played nine holes today and yesterday. I purchased a pulsating massager That I used for the first time yesterday. I really think it made a difference and I was able to sleep for the first time. I’m going to keep up with the Massage and PT and all of the exercises in the hopes that I can get to at least 130. Congrats on your success!

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