Scar tissue after knee replacement

My heart aches for your sister. I only have one, left knee filled with scar tissue. I just said to my leg, ‘I’d give most anything to have a leg that didn’t hurt all the time.’ But then to hear that your sister has 2! I am trying the practice of ‘one day at a time’. I’ve been told that no arthroscopy until 6 months PO. I am heading into week 11, so about half way there. When I look at it that way it feels like an eternity, like I will never make it. I have given up so much, we have given up so much. I don’t like to assume others on these boards have had my same experience, but I get so sad when I read all the stories because they are my story, too. I read about one scientific article on arthrofibrosis every day. I’m looking for hope, but I can’t afford to travel to a major research institution/hospital, let alone be part of a study. It’s all so exhausting. Yet, I can cook my own food, do my own dishes, makes my bed, take a shower, etc. I focus on each small success and rest, ice, elevate, and sometimes have an emotional meltdown. It’s my new normal. I need a magic wand.

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I had just one TKR and was a slow healer. I too was in pain and had flexión issues, MUA, PT... I was NOT progressing until my 5th month and even then it was tough. I am now 14 months out and I can say that flexibility is great but it took time. I can walk with no problems or hint of a knee replacement except for the scar. Just keep at it.

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It's tough. But a friend told me if her elderly neighbor who suffered for a full year, then had success! He's now active and happy. Hoping the same for you. Have you considered medical THC?

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I agree with dkapustin, I think all these drs only care about their wrk. I had a knee replacement nine weeks ago my knee is doing well however I have had to go to Pain Management, go to the blood dr my primary care and have been in therapy for nine weeks. I developed high blood platelets, sciatica and my foot is totally numb at the bottom of the operative leg . And all these decks keep passing it to somebody else. The pain is excruciating they don’t want to give you meds for the pain and they to keep telling me that it takes a while. My sister had two replacements done and her knees are amazing and no pain’t or issues. I just don’t know what to do anymore going for shots tomorrow for sciatica and if this doesn’t work I’m out of options

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I have wanted to ask about my situation for a long time . Thanks in advance for listening. Might want to get some popcorn and a lounge chair the story is amazing to me. In 2009 I got up from the couch and bumped my knee on the coffee table. After three days it was still bothering me so I went and had it looked at. The doctor told me I turn my meniscus as well as stage for arthritis on all sides of my knee. He suggested surgery to repair the meniscus which was performed two weeks after my initial visit. For some reason my knee didn’t respond and was still very very sore and very painful after the procedure. The doctor suggested total knee replacement after six weeks postop from the first procedure. This knee replacement resulted in a tremendous amount of pain difficulty in bending and the build up of excessive scar tissue. I decided to get a second opinion. This doctor was supposed to be the best in the state. After reviewing my case he said that the other doctor had given me a Volkswagen implant but he was going to give me a Cadillac. The results or more scar tissue and more pain. I go to physical therapy and it would be OK for a month or so and then slowly return to my inability to bend it or straighten it. Fast forward to today. Since 2009 I’ve had eight total knee replacements as well as over at least 10 manipulations. During that. On one occasion my knee became septic and the implant was removed while I sat in wheelchair for eight weeks with a pick line. I was also saying during that time a pain medicine physician taking a significant amount of medication. The last surgery performed was a hinged knee surgery. I have fallen numerous times including once where I broke my wrist in three places that required surgery. Currently my knee is worse than it is ever been I am unable to bend it at all I’m unable to get in and out of the vehicle and my quality-of-life is very poor. I can hardly lift my leg up off the floor to put it up on the couch. My knee pain seems to be centralized around my knee cap in the side of my knee I’m also experiencing What feels like electric charges shooting up my leg . Approximately a month and a half ago I want to see my pain management physician who is said the opiate laws have changed and you don’t have cancer so no you you no longer will get any pain medicine . So after seven years I’ve taking medication after two weeks of lowering it he no longer was willing to help me. He did say he would refer me to another pain medicine doctor however why would he give me pain medicine. What is the referral going to indicate that he no longer is willing to give me pain medicine but he would like him to that seem pretty ludicrous to me. So now I have no medicine I can’t walk and I can’t find any resources for help.The pain is excruciating and my surgeon says he no longer can help me. I wished he would’ve said that five surgeries ago. I participated in the program past all my urinalysis test did everything I was supposed to do and yet they claim the laws are preventing them from helping me. I don’t know what to do.
I don’t know how much longer I can deal with a situation without some kind of guidance help ideas or anything.I feel that they abandoned me I feel like they don’t care and it’s very frustrating.

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Has the pain management doctor said anything about a nerve ablation? I had knee replacement 1 1/2 years ago and have been in constant pain since (also had taken NSAIDS long term which messed up my stomach to the point I needed gastric bypass surgery). After being told I could no longer take NSAIDS my primary physician prescribed tramadol and referred me to a pain management doctor (by my request as I didn't want to be on narcotic medication any longer than necessary). After battling with the insurance company for 4 months I finally had a diagnostic nerve block last month which took away the pain temporarily. On Friday I go in for an ablation which should help the pain for 1-2 years.

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I'm 7 months PO and still sore and am in discomfort so my surgeon recommended I get the nerve block and then the ablation on my knee. I see them next month. I hope it works for you and I'm willing to try it. I'm just very hesitant to do that before finding out why I am so sore this far out. He has taken X-rays and swears everything looks perfect and the knee functions well. Let's keep each other posted on how that goes!

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I'm 7 months PO and still sore and am in discomfort so my surgeon recommended I get the nerve block and then the ablation on my knee. I see them next month. I hope it works for you and I'm willing to try it. I'm just very hesitant to do that before finding out why I am so sore this far out. He has taken X-rays and swears everything looks perfect and the knee functions well. Let's keep each other posted on how that goes!

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