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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mylynn
@mylynn
@mylynn
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Joined: Sep 19, 2018
@melcpa86, you may noticed I moved your recent discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled "Scar tissue after knee replacement." I did this so all of the members discussing scar tissue, or arthrofibrosis, would see your message and share their thoughts with you. I also had a really rough time with scar tissue after my knee replacement. I had two additional manipulations to try and break up the scar tissue and those were unsuccessful. Fortunately, after about 18 months, I was able to pop the scar tissue loose on my own. My initial movement after surgery was extremely limited, about 15-50 degree ROM. I eventually, through lots of pain, managed to get to 0-110 or so. I was not a candidate to have the scar tissue removed because they thought the risk of infection was not worth the 50/50 gain I may or may not get.
@melcpa86, here is another discussion on metal allergy you may find interesting too, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-tkr-and-had-positive-allergy-testing-bone-cement-and-metals/. If you don't mind me asking, is the lysis surgery something you are considering, or has it been ruled out by the professor?
I am still considering arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue, but am waiting till new year for insurance
However someone mentioned cold laser therapy as being helpful. Does anyone know about this?
I am also planning on getting deep tissue massage to help with scar tissue and surrounding muscles, etc.
mari
@mari
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Posts: 319
Joined: Jul 09, 2011
I have not had the trouble with scar tissue. I look back on my operation which occurred in the morning and i never had a bed until evening and no manipulation took place until the next day. My knee has had problems for the past 6 years. Right now i have pain biking so i had it X rayed but no problem shows up. Nothing can be done the Dr says so i am working on exercises on the quad etc. I do not take pain pills as most kill stem cell and i spent money to do my back and other knee with stem cells.
Why stop at x-ray Justin? Boswell Hospital (Sun City AZ) took x-ray, CAT scan – with me screaming in pain to b put on those machines. Next day they said – we don't see anything so we "won't do an MRI". THEY SENT ME HOME to suffer IN PAIN FOR 2 WEEKS. WENT to PCP – he said I should not b in SOOooo much pain for that long – ordered MRI, his office called me the next morn. said get to ER/ had a fractured hip – everything i did those 2 weeks would make fracture worse.
Had a new hip / surgery. For 2 weeks, used walker, could only go to bathroom and bed. It was too difficult / painful to make cereal, mostly took a banana back to bed w me.
melcpa86
@melcpa86
@melcpa86
Posts: 37
Joined: Oct 27, 2018
@melcpa86, you may noticed I moved your recent discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled "Scar tissue after knee replacement." I did this so all of the members discussing scar tissue, or arthrofibrosis, would see your message and share their thoughts with you. I also had a really rough time with scar tissue after my knee replacement. I had two additional manipulations to try and break up the scar tissue and those were unsuccessful. Fortunately, after about 18 months, I was able to pop the scar tissue loose on my own. My initial movement after surgery was extremely limited, about 15-50 degree ROM. I eventually, through lots of pain, managed to get to 0-110 or so. I was not a candidate to have the scar tissue removed because they thought the risk of infection was not worth the 50/50 gain I may or may not get.
@melcpa86, here is another discussion on metal allergy you may find interesting too, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-tkr-and-had-positive-allergy-testing-bone-cement-and-metals/. If you don't mind me asking, is the lysis surgery something you are considering, or has it been ruled out by the professor?
@JustinMcClanahan i did go ahead and have the lysis surgery. The professor said no , but the other 3 surgeons said it was my best shot at relieving the pain
Liked by Justin McClanahan
melcpa86
@melcpa86
@melcpa86
Posts: 37
Joined: Oct 27, 2018
I am still considering arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue, but am waiting till new year for insurance
However someone mentioned cold laser therapy as being helpful. Does anyone know about this?
I am also planning on getting deep tissue massage to help with scar tissue and surrounding muscles, etc.
@mylynn I tried deep tissue massage and ASTYM to try and address the scar tissue non-surgically. I got no improvement from either in the long run. The deep tissue massage was helpful on the day I had it done- as long as I limited weight hearing. The ASTYM just bruised my entire leg and the practioner recommended stopping as it wasn’t helping
mari
@mari
@mari
Posts: 319
Joined: Jul 09, 2011
I am still in PT being massaged and do some myself – having problems with the patella tendon – doing exercises in the pool – it seems to get a little better very slowly !!! – Maybe there is hope after 2 years ? So don't give up just keep on pushing through the pain !!
What does script say (in order for me to get massage therapy) I know that if i could reach and get massaged – it would really help. Are u getting it from a PT? Please answer completely.
mylynn
@mylynn
@mylynn
Posts: 26
Joined: Sep 19, 2018
@mylynn I tried deep tissue massage and ASTYM to try and address the scar tissue non-surgically. I got no improvement from either in the long run. The deep tissue massage was helpful on the day I had it done- as long as I limited weight hearing. The ASTYM just bruised my entire leg and the practioner recommended stopping as it wasn’t helping
Thanx for your repky
mylynn
@mylynn
@mylynn
Posts: 26
Joined: Sep 19, 2018
What does script say (in order for me to get massage therapy) I know that if i could reach and get massaged – it would really help. Are u getting it from a PT? Please answer completely.
I am getting deep tissue massage fr a pt for ab an hour. Completely out of pocket sorry to say
It helps on the day of and then nothing dramatically changes after that
Liked by Scott
I am getting deep tissue massage fr a pt for ab an hour. Completely out of pocket sorry to say
It helps on the day of and then nothing dramatically changes after that
I would suggest dry needling, rather than deep tissue massage. It uses acupuncture needles, and a tens unit to get deep in the muscle to relax them, and retrain them on proper use.
Liked by Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor, lioness
rayreich3
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I would suggest dry needling, rather than deep tissue massage. It uses acupuncture needles, and a tens unit to get deep in the muscle to relax them, and retrain them on proper use.
Hi is this for scar tissue?
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golfshrink
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Joined: Mar 25, 2018
Hi is this for scar tissue?
Graston Technique and Myofascial release Massage is also option this for scar tissue, ROM, and ultimately relieving pain. I did both- Graston hurts like a mother but is probably most effective
melcpa86
@melcpa86
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Posts: 37
Joined: Oct 27, 2018
Hi is this for scar tissue?
Dry Needling works on the pain from scar tissue but it doesn’t remold so it’s not a “fix”. Grayson and ASTYM are similar. In the case of a TKR, Grayson uses stainless steel tools and is targeted to an area. ASTYM uses plastic tools and the entire leg (toes to thigh- front and back) is treated. I tried all three techniques before I agreed to have the original surgeon go back into the knee and do an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions.
rayreich3
@rayreich3
@rayreich3
Posts: 61
Joined: Oct 29, 2017
Dry Needling works on the pain from scar tissue but it doesn’t remold so it’s not a “fix”. Grayson and ASTYM are similar. In the case of a TKR, Grayson uses stainless steel tools and is targeted to an area. ASTYM uses plastic tools and the entire leg (toes to thigh- front and back) is treated. I tried all three techniques before I agreed to have the original surgeon go back into the knee and do an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions.
Thank you so much this is the answer I was looking for the only answer is arthroscopic surgery to remove the scar tissue
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melcpa86
@melcpa86
@melcpa86
Posts: 37
Joined: Oct 27, 2018
Thank you so much this is the answer I was looking for the only answer is arthroscopic surgery to remove the scar tissue
I had the arthroscopic lysis done 1.5 weeks ago. Despite a ton of research, I feel like I was unprepared for the recovery. So I’ll let you know how my last week and a half has been.
Prior to the surgery, I was at 105 degrees flexion. The surgery was on Wednesday afternoon and the surgeon got me to 130 flexion. First PT was Thursday at noon. On my own, i could only get my flexion to 105. The PT therapist forced my leg to 130. I was given the following “homework”.
10 mins stationary Bike
10 mins supine leg pull
10 mins prone leg pull
10 mins extensionator
20 mins ICE
1 hour elevated rest
REPEAT 5 times
Walk no more than .25 miles in house only
That’s one hour of stretching, one hour rest for a minimum of 10 hours a day.
Next session was Friday afternoon and I got to 115 on my own pulling – and the therapist forced it to 130. Weekend I was in my own with the homework.
The next Monday, I had PT early in the AM and got to 118 on my own pulling and the therapist forced to 130. I was told then that- since there was progress over the weekend (ie I could move it more on my own – even forced) and the therapist could still get to 130 – I had a decent shot at remolding the scar tissue.
I have PT three times a week and the homework is now
10 mins stationary Bike or eliptical (alternate)
10 mins supine leg pull
10 mins prone leg pull
10 quad sets
20 short arcs
10 mins extensionator
20 mins ICE
30 mins rest
20 mins heat
REPEAT 5 times
Walk no more than .25 miles in house only
The home PT is very painful. It’s hard to pull on your leg for 30 mins every other hour all day long and I am in tears doing it. It hurts to bend and walk any right now and I’m wondering if this was the right answer.
However – I can bend it more for sure and if I’m being honest with myself, the pain is probably surgical mostly since I’m only 1.5 weeks out and will probably ultimately pass. Still, forcing movement like this and this much PT is very very hard.
Good Luck
@cobweb
I have not had the trouble with scar tissue. I look back on my operation which occurred in the morning and i never had a bed until evening and no manipulation took place until the next day. My knee has had problems for the past 6 years. Right now i have pain biking so i had it X rayed but no problem shows up. Nothing can be done the Dr says so i am working on exercises on the quad etc. I do not take pain pills as most kill stem cell and i spent money to do my back and other knee with stem cells.