1. < Joint Replacements

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

gator1965 | @gator1965 | Nov 9, 2018
In reply to @melcpa86 "I am 8 months out from my TKR and am having the scar tissue removal surgery..." + (show)
@melcpa86

I am 8 months out from my TKR and am having the scar tissue removal surgery on 11/28. I have a history of generating too much scar tissue so I suspect my issue is genetic. Ive been researching since August I’ve have one surgeon recommend the arthroscopic removal and one say to to a total revision. From the tons of research I’ve done, if you choose the arthroscopic procedure you have to also know that the PT will be immediate and intense to prevent more scar tissue. The revision is a last resort.

Jump to this post

Good luck with the arthroscopic surgery! I was in the hydrotherapy pool under 36 hours after the surgery. I have had weekly physio since the procedure, not pushing as hard as after the manipulation under anaesthetic, as they did not want to cause more inflammation and scar tissue. I learnt to listen to my knee. I spent hours dangling off the edge of the dinning room table gently trying to swing my left knee, eventually it started to bend.
My surgeon started me on baclofen ( muscle relaxant, reduces spasms) and amitriptyline ( helps with neuropathic pain and sleep) 3 weeks prior to surgery, and to continue post surgery. I have ended up on a slightly higher dose post arthroscopic arthrolysis and debridment of left knee.

REPLY
dduke | @dduke | Nov 9, 2018
In reply to @mylynn "Hi It seems u know quite a bit ab this scar tissue, was wondering if u..." + (show)
@mylynn

Hi
It seems u know quite a bit ab this scar tissue, was wondering if u have any knowledge of why some people are more prone to get it? I’ve been trying to look up some info but very little seems to be know about it. I myself have mild psoriasis and now thinking this may be related , any thoughts on this?
Thanx

Jump to this post

I have had similar problems and also had the scar tissue removal surgery (It helped quite a bit). I am prone to internal keloids, and we think that may be the cause for the excessive scar tissue. https://www.newgelplus.com/blog/2017/07/25/knee-replacement-scarring-works/

REPLY
mylynn | @mylynn | Nov 15, 2018
In reply to @melcpa86 "I am 8 months out from my TKR and am having the scar tissue removal surgery..." + (show)
@melcpa86

I am 8 months out from my TKR and am having the scar tissue removal surgery on 11/28. I have a history of generating too much scar tissue so I suspect my issue is genetic. Ive been researching since August I’ve have one surgeon recommend the arthroscopic removal and one say to to a total revision. From the tons of research I’ve done, if you choose the arthroscopic procedure you have to also know that the PT will be immediate and intense to prevent more scar tissue. The revision is a last resort.

Jump to this post

Wishing u good luck on your surgery. Just after thanxgiving, so load up???
But really please let me know how it goes and hope that damn scar tissue is out of there!!!

REPLY
bizzarebird1 | @bizzarebird1 | Nov 19, 2018

I had my TKR left on 21/6/18 ended up with ROM on 20-70 at 16 weeks. MUA done got 15-115 on table, mass of scar tissue broken down. Now week 22 post op i have 10-105 ROM. will have a flexion deformity on the straight but not too worried. the nerve damage (whole knee numbness) is more of a problem. Right knee to be replaced in March 2019. Both knees replaced by my 45th birthday!

REPLY
bizzarebird1 | @bizzarebird1 | Nov 19, 2018
In reply to @gator1965 "My physio at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, advises that they put patients straight in the hydrotherapy..." + (show)
@gator1965

My physio at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, advises that they put patients straight in the hydrotherapy pool following a TKR, certainly I would have benefited from this in my case. They simply apply a waterproof dressing. They advised me that there is little chance of infection as the water is highly chlorinated. After my arthroscopic arthrolysis and debridment of the knee I was in the pool within 36 hours of the surgery.

Like you I did not like icing my knee as it caused a burning type of pain, and still does 7 months following my TKR. I prefer a gel heat pad, it provides pain relief for me.

Jump to this post

i had to wait until week 8 for hydrotherapy and it’s such as shame as the progress in water is exceptional i am planning on getting in pool asap with right knee next year

REPLY
1 reply
bizzarebird1 | @bizzarebird1 | Nov 19, 2018
In reply to @lkinny "@sdhkkjmz New to group. Healing takes so much longer than we think it'll be. I did..." + (show)
@lkinny

@sdhkkjmz New to group. Healing takes so much longer than we think it'll be. I did bilateral 8 mos.ago. I'm having intense tendon pain behind knee esp after exercise, if anyone has thoughts … Anyway, for those with ROM issues , read below, there's a great – really great — option to look into. Pain-killers: I needed for long time. Percocet was useless, get a stronger pain reliever, the strongest you can! But… you are ONLY 2 weeks post op ! You need a few months to evaluate how you are. I was lucky to get into rehab facility with good PT for 2 weeks … but various levels of pain continued for a long while from multiple sources. Sleep was difficult (sleep aid is helping). I don't think your scar tissue is building up at this point. Here are a couple ideas. Water exercise (with lots of bending) has been good (it's a bit too early for you, due to wound). For you at this early point, I'd work on the ROM a lot now. And I used an amazing machine to help do that. X-10 machine. It's not a CPM, I found that horrible. The testimonials are true. It's not covered by insurance except in Michigan, and it's hard to get a machine (rent) bec there's so much demand, but it was worth every penny. You sit comfortably, it gently moves your leg; you control the slight increases (each day you improve); most people get to full ROM quickly. (My PT was so amazed at how I was doing that they totally slacked off with me – with bad consequences now). The say the best time to use X-10 is a week or 2 post op. Can't recommend it enough.

Jump to this post

i get intense pain behind knee at top of calf, believed to be the gastrocnemius muscle being too tight awaiting biomechanics for insoles due to over rotated ankles and flat feet. which l have always had but no one considers when making drastic changes to my posture as hypermobilie. i now have one knee that’s 10 degrees off straight and one that’s -10 straight hypermobilie x

REPLY
2 replies
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Nov 19, 2018
In reply to @bizzarebird1 "i get intense pain behind knee at top of calf, believed to be the gastrocnemius muscle..." + (show)
@bizzarebird1

i get intense pain behind knee at top of calf, believed to be the gastrocnemius muscle being too tight awaiting biomechanics for insoles due to over rotated ankles and flat feet. which l have always had but no one considers when making drastic changes to my posture as hypermobilie. i now have one knee that’s 10 degrees off straight and one that’s -10 straight hypermobilie x

Jump to this post

Hi @bizzarebird1 – sounds as if you are having a difficult recovery. I think I remember you saying earlier that you were supposed to return to work in October? Were you able to do that? I'm wishing you the best. That intense knee pain is not easy to live with.

REPLY
1 reply
bizzarebird1 | @bizzarebird1 | Nov 19, 2018
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @bizzarebird1 - sounds as if you are having a difficult recovery. I think I remember..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @bizzarebird1 – sounds as if you are having a difficult recovery. I think I remember you saying earlier that you were supposed to return to work in October? Were you able to do that? I'm wishing you the best. That intense knee pain is not easy to live with.

Jump to this post

no my MUA was not until 13/10/18 so i couldn’t go back. my employer has just issued me with a written warning for sickness absence so it’s all very up in the air. with my right knee being replaced in march l am still on crutches and struggling so not good! pain isn’t too bad on replaced knee, non replaced knee is more troublesome pain wise! numbness in replaced knee is whole knee so walking is very different experience

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Nov 19, 2018
In reply to @bizzarebird1 "i had to wait until week 8 for hydrotherapy and it’s such as shame as the..." + (show)
@bizzarebird1

i had to wait until week 8 for hydrotherapy and it’s such as shame as the progress in water is exceptional i am planning on getting in pool asap with right knee next year

Jump to this post

@blizzardbird1 good for you I know when I had my back fracture it was easier on me when in therapy yes the pool is easier on your joints

REPLY
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Nov 19, 2018
In reply to @bizzarebird1 "no my MUA was not until 13/10/18 so i couldn’t go back. my employer has just..." + (show)
@bizzarebird1

no my MUA was not until 13/10/18 so i couldn’t go back. my employer has just issued me with a written warning for sickness absence so it’s all very up in the air. with my right knee being replaced in march l am still on crutches and struggling so not good! pain isn’t too bad on replaced knee, non replaced knee is more troublesome pain wise! numbness in replaced knee is whole knee so walking is very different experience

Jump to this post

@bizzarebird1 – Dang! That uncertainty on the job front has got to be tough on top of the discomfort. Hang in there. Once the other knee is done, things should look brighter. I'm sure you've probably explored this, but is there any chance you could work from home for awhile?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.