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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@bisutton May I ask how you you know it's scar tissue growing back? Can you feel it or is just a stiffness? I keep reading the posts on scar tissue and I'm struggling to get to a 110 ROM at almost 7 weeks PO. My therapist hasn't mentioned scar tissue but as a plow through PT, I keep wondering why I'm not making faster progress.

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@lamerex4

I had my first knee replacement at the age of 47 years in 2001. I was plagued by spasms on the outer aspect of my calf caused by scar tissue. After a closed manipulation and traditional PT I got relief with acupuncture and osteopathic manipulation. I know many physical therapists practice under the theory that you have to push through the pain, but when you are a prolific scar tissue creator, I feel a more gradual, alternative approach is better.

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@lamerex4 How does someone know that scar tissue is the problem? Can you feel it or is it the only reason for pain and stiffness after a TKR? I'm just curious because I'll be 7 weeks PO on Thursday and can only get to 105-106 unassisted bend and around 113 with pulling while doing heel slides. Not MUA material but not where I wanted to be 7 weeks out either.

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@damewocane

Heat and a cbd oil+ massaged around knee front and back gives some relief. I swim and paddle around on a floaty in the pool every other day weather permitting. Waiting to see what comes next.

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My 2nd opinion Ortho Dr is going to do a revision-will have to go through All of the TKR pain and pt again-and yes a part too large was put in, hence the excessive scar tissue.

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@damewocane I'm so very sorry to hear about this! Is your original surgeon in the loop? What does sh/e have to say?!

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The original surgeon "fired" me in the first week of December saying "There is nothing more I can do for you"- Never acknowledged this problem. Its taken 3 months to find a new surgeon who will touch me.

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@damewocane I hope you write an email or letter to surgeon #1.

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@damewocane

The original surgeon "fired" me in the first week of December saying "There is nothing more I can do for you"- Never acknowledged this problem. Its taken 3 months to find a new surgeon who will touch me.

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Your experience is exactly like mine. I too was told this is the last thing i can do for you. I finally got a second opinion. That surgeon did my revision. I was being treated for scar tissue when in fact it was the original orthopedic inserted the wrong size.
I am post op 3 months and have continued with PT RELIGIOUSLY. Revions take longer to recover from which can be frustrating at times, but you will be happy with the results. Just remember that you need to be patient. I wish you a full and total recovery.

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@bevinauburn

Your experience is exactly like mine. I too was told this is the last thing i can do for you. I finally got a second opinion. That surgeon did my revision. I was being treated for scar tissue when in fact it was the original orthopedic inserted the wrong size.
I am post op 3 months and have continued with PT RELIGIOUSLY. Revions take longer to recover from which can be frustrating at times, but you will be happy with the results. Just remember that you need to be patient. I wish you a full and total recovery.

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I am so sorry to hear that your surgeon didn’t ensure a proper fit. Can you sue hecor she since it was clearly the surgeons error? From what I understand, that is rare and most surgeons know how to avoid an improper fit. I hope your recovery is complete and you finally have relief!

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@damewocane

My 2nd opinion Ortho Dr is going to do a revision-will have to go through All of the TKR pain and pt again-and yes a part too large was put in, hence the excessive scar tissue.

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I am a 56 year old male with my first TKR and am almost 4 month post op with only 90 degrees ROM. I have had a MUA 2 1/2 months ago and again, still no relief. I had a scar tissue issue 21 years ago after a ACL on the same knee, and my surgeon is saying that I am dealing with scar tissue this go around as well. My question is how your 2nd opinion surgeon determined that the wrong size hardware was installed and the procedure for that determination. Trying to find a surgeon for 2nd opinion around here is almost impossible. They will but not till after a 1 year anniversary from my TKR.

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@hoover

I am a 56 year old male with my first TKR and am almost 4 month post op with only 90 degrees ROM. I have had a MUA 2 1/2 months ago and again, still no relief. I had a scar tissue issue 21 years ago after a ACL on the same knee, and my surgeon is saying that I am dealing with scar tissue this go around as well. My question is how your 2nd opinion surgeon determined that the wrong size hardware was installed and the procedure for that determination. Trying to find a surgeon for 2nd opinion around here is almost impossible. They will but not till after a 1 year anniversary from my TKR.

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First I want to reply to the question, could I sue? Probably so if I wanted to go through that but I haven’t felt the energy to go through that process. My first surgery was June 15th 2017, second surgery December 10th 2018. .i I had one MUA which I was told he got me to 130 ROM. After months of Pt I could only get to about 110 at Pt but it would never hold. I was lucky to be ay 90 thereafter until my second surgery. I was never without pain that year and one half. The final suggestion was maybe I could have arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue with another manipulation . At my pre op appointment I canceled the surgery as I was frustrated with the surgeon and his opinion of the success of this procedure.
I understand your frustration with getting an appointment with another surgeon. I have been told you can continue to increase ROM up to a year and I am guessing since you are only at 4 months, they may consider it is too soon.

I tried getting in with other doctors but they didn’t want to do revisions. Finally the doctor who did my surgery agreed to see me and I didn’t know at the time he was known for doing revisions so that might be what you need to research. I believe that after reviewing my file forwarded to him and extensive questioning of my experience and examination he then told me he didn’t think it was scar tissue only but the fit. After surgery he said I had little scar tissue but he removed it and it was the fit. I know this is quite lengthy but I want to explain to you my total experience. I hope it helps.
I know we want to see more progress but it is a slow process and we get tired of hearing we need to be patient!

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