Scar tissue removal - is it the right thing to do?

Posted by krenn @krenn, Jun 8, 2023

61 yr old active female - my story in a short summary
Right Knee 2019 Meniscus repair surgery - fail
2020 Partial Knee Replacement - fail
2021 Oct TKR
2022 Oct - was schedule for scar tissue removal, surgeon attempted MUA before opening up knee again, seemed successful, but went backwards due to scar tissues.
Currently my knee is stuck at 75 - 80 degrees flexion, extension is 100% (full extension). Cannot do stairs, cannot ride bike at all, cannot kayak (something I love- we live on a river in NC) In constant pain daily. My knee feels like it has cement sitting on top of it.
I am scheduled in 2 weeks 6/22/23 to have scar tissue removal.
I have read success stories and failure stories. I was so active, I am not willing to settle with my knee the way it currently is, I may have to but I want to try anything I can go get it moving. I have done Myofascial release therapy, cupping, needling.... I am at a loss.
Any thoughts would be welcomed and appreciated.

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

jko17 | @jko17 | Aug 16 3:05pm

In reply to @681 "I had tnr in 2020 my replacement was successful but I did develop scar tissue My..." + (show)

Can I ask what your symptoms were before the surgeon removed your scar tissue? Lack of ROM/ extension? Swelling? Stiffness? Pain?

I had meniscus in 2023
Jan 2024 TKR
March MUA - prior to MUA- I had 90 ROM was all I could get even doing PT 3x a week. Plus, I did my own exercises, massages on the off days.
May 2024 Post Op Appt- surgeon told me to “go live my best life”. I could not walk w/o a cane. I was in excruciating pain 24/7. My nerve in my knee could not handle wearing long pants or sheets touching it. It was swollen, hot and red.
June 2024 I got a 2nd opinion. This ortho said “infection”.
I had all the symptoms- my surgeon wouldn’t listen
My ROM all summer was only 65. It hurt to walk. Not to mention my back. I still se a chiropractor 1-2 x a week.

August 2024 I went to another city to see a surgeon and he did a bone scan in mid Sept 2024. I was FULL of infection.
Oct 2024 Had arthroscopic surgery to get tissue samples to find out what kind of infection. Plus, he cleaned up some of the scar tissue.

Nov 2024. I had a TKR 1.5 revision. Take out the prosthetic, clean out area and replace. 8 months of antibiotics infusions.
I did PT 3x a week for over 2 years to keep leg and knee strong. Plus, cupping, massages.
Today, I still limp. ROM is maybe 105 on a good day. Extension is -5.
But my knee is swollen and still very painful. I’m waiting the 1 yr mark from the last TKR ( early Nov 2025) to hear about cleaning out the scar tissue. 4 surgeries last year was a lot on my knee.

I’m curious what you were like before your scar tissue removal. And what was the recovery like post?

Before I will do this I want to explore all my options.