Scar tissue problems

[Judym]

Has anyone had problems with scar tissue after a total knee replacement?After a fantastic start I'm having real problems with pain in the front (patella area) and inside of my knee ,on climbing the stairs in particular. Saw the consultant he thinks it's probably inflamed scar tissue and will see me in 3 months to check if it's settled,not sure I want to put up with the pain that long ,any ideas welcome Thanks,Judy.

[Hidden]

Hi Judy,

I had a partial knee replacement (medial compartment, basically the inner edge of the right knee) in Nov 2015. At the time, prior to surgery, I'd been seeing a Sports Injury Massage Therapist for massage on my ailing knee for ages before surgery. She advised me to continue this after surgery. So, as soon as my GP had removed the dressing after surgery and confirmed that there was no infection and that healing was progressing I returned to my Sports Injury lady and she restarted massage. This time she used Aloe Vera gel and massaged the incision line and all around it - the purpose of this was to minimise/prevent scar tissue forming. If it formed the chances of performing all the exercises needed to be done during recovery would be minimal and a full and timely recovery would be impaired.

I know it sounds traumatic to think of someone pressuring the incision line and all around that area but actually it was OK. It is essential to prevent scar tissue forming as you probably realise. I still continued all my exercises too by the way. The two exercises I found most beneficial were sitting on a dining table chair and lifting the leg onto the arm of a lounge and stretching by pressing the knee downward.. The other was sitting on the same chair and sliding the operated leg back and trying to keep the heel flat to the ground and get it under the chair. I also found I had to learn to walk again .... heel down first, ball next then toe. Heel, ball, toe. That's an exaggeration of how your foot should behave when walking - but you get the idea.

I also found some very good short physiotherapy videos on YouTube illustrating exercises to be done following surgery.

Hope that helps.

John

[Judym in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your reply John. I did all the exercises etc and had fantastic results,back to bicycle riding swimming etc and it was not until 5 months on that the problems began, I think I'll contact a sports physio re massage as it was good for you,my consultant seemed so happy with the outcome of the surgery that he seemed to brush aside the pain I'm now suffering which in some respects is worse than preop !Thanks againJudy.

[Birdbox in reply to Judym]

My knee is 2 years old and I am in pain. I had massages, did loads of exercises but I have recently had a full scan and it shows some loosening of the implant. I am now waiting to see the consultant in a couple of weeks to see what the solution is.