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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I had scar tissue removed 5 months after a partial knee replacement. I had been having continued pain standing and walking. Very frustrating. I mentioned to my regular orthopedist and he did arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from my patella and significant scar tissue along the incision line. Best decision ever! By 3 days post op I was walking unassisted and not in pain as before!
How do you now if scar tissue continuesto grow? I am 3 months post op and feel like my knee is getting tighter.
sprinrosa64
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i can only tell you about my case, since we all responed differently, my left TKR more than 2yrs is a mess, now the right TKR 8 mons. ago is very good , some tightness right above knee, but I find as long as I do my stretching EVERY DAY the better I feel. My sister who had her TKR 3yrs ago still finds she needs to stretch at least 3 times a week if not 4 times. Think of what was done and keep working . BEST OF LUCK.
sprinrosa64
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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
A revision is basically having the initial knee replacement parts removed and new ones put in? What made that necessary? I’m having heaviness and tightness issues in both knees and considering a cleaning out of the scar tissue. I’ve had one MUA on one knee while under getting the second knee replaced. But the free movement only lasted about 6 weeks before it started tightening up again.
How long after knee replacement does scar tissue keep developing? I thought I was good to go after physical therapy ended.
I wish someone with experience would answer your question….I'd like to know as well.
John, Volunteer Mentor
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I wish someone with experience would answer your question….I'd like to know as well.
@toromama and @wojo It's just my non medical patient opinion but I doubt if anyone can answer the question you are asking just because everyone is different as to healing process. That said here is some information I found that talks about it…
"How long does scar tissue continue to grow after surgery?
Scars can take up to 1 year to mature fully and go through four stages of healing. This slow process may explain why some people do not experience scar tissue pain immediately. Initially, the scarring may look minimal, but over 4–6 weeks, the scar may get bigger or become raised, firm, and thick. Jun 29, 2020" – Scar tissue pain: What it feels like, why it happens, and treatment: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/scar-tissue-pain
mnitchke
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Exact same problem…look into metal allergy testing, watch Netflix “Bleeding Edge” to see how we are being used for untested devices.
I too have a major knee prob. 2 1/2 yrs. post-op.Knee is still awful. Also have hi alum.levels in my blood. Was told my knee is S & N Genesis 2-no carbon,Chromium but a mysterious compound. Maybe ceramics but no proof. Please contact me.
John, Volunteer Mentor
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I too have a major knee prob. 2 1/2 yrs. post-op.Knee is still awful. Also have hi alum.levels in my blood. Was told my knee is S & N Genesis 2-no carbon,Chromium but a mysterious compound. Maybe ceramics but no proof. Please contact me.
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@toromama and @wojo It's just my non medical patient opinion but I doubt if anyone can answer the question you are asking just because everyone is different as to healing process. That said here is some information I found that talks about it…
"How long does scar tissue continue to grow after surgery?
Scars can take up to 1 year to mature fully and go through four stages of healing. This slow process may explain why some people do not experience scar tissue pain immediately. Initially, the scarring may look minimal, but over 4–6 weeks, the scar may get bigger or become raised, firm, and thick. Jun 29, 2020" – Scar tissue pain: What it feels like, why it happens, and treatment: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/scar-tissue-pain
I had an appointment with my surgeon today regarding the tightness/heaviness in my knees. He measured my ROM at 105 in both knees. He has me scheduled for a MUA on both knees next Tuesday. I'll have it done in the morning and then start daily PT that same day…every day for 2 weeks and then tapered down from there. He said he had one patient that he had to do an MUA on every year for 3 years before it got better. He avoids the arthroscopic cleanouts because of the potential for infection. Praying this works!
I had an appointment with my surgeon today regarding the tightness/heaviness in my knees. He measured my ROM at 105 in both knees. He has me scheduled for a MUA on both knees next Tuesday. I'll have it done in the morning and then start daily PT that same day…every day for 2 weeks and then tapered down from there. He said he had one patient that he had to do an MUA on every year for 3 years before it got better. He avoids the arthroscopic cleanouts because of the potential for infection. Praying this works!
I had TKR on both knees. Right done 11-4-19 second 2-5-20 and both tight. My ROM was just at 90 when pushing it. I was never given mua I guess because pre op rom was sane as it is now but I was completely functional prior to surgery and not now. Terrible tightness that gets worse as the day progresses. I had enough. It is now a year. Mua only done 3 mos out by most. My one surgeon that did my one knee wouldnt do it, the other one agreed and done yesterday. I submitted a study from NIH Efficacy of mua at different intervals. He manipulated mr to 120 degrees and I start therapy today. Im sore walking gently knowing therapy is going to be tough to push to the limits not easy. Wish I could take advil but my kidney functions tells me not to by family doctor. Have hydrocodone but too strong. May need to take half before my session.
Erika, Connect Moderator
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@buickturboman Did you have a chance to scroll through the discussion I have linked below?
– Knee pain post surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/knee-pain-post-surgery/
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John, Volunteer Mentor
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Clicking and Crunching following TKR
I am seven months post-op. A few months after replacement, knee clicking started when walking. The TKR was my fourth surgery on my right knee including an ACL reconstruction 25 years ago. My knee also makes a crunching noise when I stand from a seated position. MD said noise might be from scar tissue and will not go away but clicking should.
Hello @mr11344, I've had TKR in my right knee about 20 months ago or so but I've not had any problems with a clicking sound. @ellerbracke @marield65 @nancylh and @rmeddings have mentioned clicking or crunching noises in a few other discussions on knee replacements and may be able to share their experience with you.
Here's an explanation of what's going on by two physical therapists that put it in layman's terms – Why is your Knee Replacement Clicking, Popping, or Clunking?
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golfshrink
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I have gone to a massage therapist. Not very happy with my overall status 7 months post-op.
I’m three years out and started PT again. You know – the stretching fun part of PT?! Six weeks and I’m actually making pretty good progress. Hoping to keep myself away from the scalpel again
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@wojo
How long after knee replacement does scar tissue keep developing? I thought I was good to go after physical therapy ended.