Scar tissue removal surgery following knee replacement surgery

I’m also interested in this, I may have to make a decision about having open surgery to remove scar tissue.

If you have a good surgeon you’ll benefit from it, although 8 weeks after revision and scar tissue removal, I Only bent to 70 degrees (again) after a lot of therapy. History: ( April 2024 TKR, May - manipulation with fracture) Nov - (new surgeon), TKR revision, scar tissue removal, and rod inserted into femur to stabilize. Had A manipulation two days ago. Now doing a lot better!! Already near 90 degrees and thrilled . It is definitely helpful.

Hi spinner. What symptoms were you having that caused a workup to determine it was scar tissue causing your problem? Did you have a MARS MRI prior to surgery? How long after the original TKR was your scar removal surgery? Was it an opening of the original scar, or did you have it done arthroscopically?

Orthopedic Doc and therapist’s evaluations determined thick, stiff scar tissue. (It was an open surgery over original scar) Main reason for surgery (7 months after first TKR, had a manipulation after 8 weeks with cracked femur, had an MRI) was putting in a new femural component with a rod inserted into my femur, to protect it from breaking if I needed a manipulation after the surgery. (Which I did two days ago.) Surgeon aware of my past history with prior manipulation (different doc) didn’t press hard through scar tissue that did not seem to “give”. We concurred on that approach to avoid any possible bone breakage or other resulting complication.
What he did achieve has given me a new lease on life. I hope to keep building on it over time.

I am 20 years post TKA, granted it was the last in a very long line of reconstructions and surgeries on that knee. I am down to 30% ROM max.
Everything else is rock solid....now trying to find a surgeon to help restore ROM.
Not looking for miracle but 70-90 sure would be nice as other knee has significant meniscal tear and is beginning to deteriorate..

Only a little improvement actually. It was done in conjunction with a
Revision.. 8 weeks later I had a manipulation, and after, I gained more range of motion. Still doing “at home” PT to maintain it.

@spinner2 I do not have the range of motion that I expected after surgery. I can bike but feel every rotation. Asked about MUA, but since I was at 110°, and 77 years old would not do it to get another 5°. Where are you at?

@spinner2 I still have scar tissue after 1 year post TKR and continuing pain. Not happy.
I'm considering a revision so how did you select a new surgeon???
I'm using just a very well regarded hospital (U of Mich) but only have bio's to make a judgement.

I’m having ROM issues five plus months after TKR. Surgeon didn’t want to go the MUS at two months or so now I’m leary of it this far down the line. I’m going k laser therapy it has helped with pain and I’m able to move my knee somewhat better after 7 treatments.

@grandpun

That is the challenge. I suggest using research papers, etc. to decide on features you would like in a surgeon. Then build a list and look for videos, reviews, etc. Finally, narrow down the list and ask potential surgeons (or their offices) what they do about these features. Mine are:

1) minimally invasive surgery (subvastus or midvsatus);
2) No routine use of a tourniquet;
3) able and will to do a bicruciate retaining implant ("BCR") [probably unique to me];
4) Does a Functional alignment to repair my severe misalignment or at least a kinematic or inverse kinematic alignment (NOT a mechanical alignment);
5) Does a substantial revision business;
6) HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE DOING ALL OF THE ABOVE;
7) Has great hands;
8) Has a great mind.

You probably can't get answer to all of them but try for as many as you can. My surgeon met all of my requirements and I had no post surgery pain. My surgeon's recovery protocol was to essential rest and ice for two weeks to let the inflammation subside and then commence PT in the third week. I followed his protocol and that week my PT measured my ROM at 122.