Scar tissue after surgery

[Jances13]

Need some advice. My daughter has an connective tissue disease and is on Plaquenil. She had to have knee surgery twice and both time scar tissue grow back causing pain and swelling (synovitis). The ortho dr wants to go back in and clean out the scar tissue again but I feel that her auto immune is playing a part in her recovery. Her ortho dr doesn’t think that her autoimmune is the issue. I feel like she should address the issue with her rheumatologist first. Maybe if they try a different anti inflammatory it would help. Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[tcromp888]

So sorry for your daughter. I think sometimes we blame an auto immune problem for all other issues. It’s very difficult. If she is in pain then personally I would have to deal with that. Pain is very debilitating. Maybe get advice from a rheumy before going ahead. It’s a difficult situation for her and yourself and I wish you well.

[Jances13 in reply to tcromp888]

Thank you so much for your advice and your kind words. It is a difficult situation especially because she can’t afford to take any more time from work right now and her work requires her to be on her feet most of the time . She is exploring to go to rheumatologist and maybe another ortho opinion before proceeding . Thank you again. Be well.

[Jmiller623]

Getting advice from rheum is advisable. I know a few hand surgeons and orthopods that wouldn’t touch anyone with a rheum condition, esp RA, for this exact reason. Joints don’t heal well and we are more susceptible to infection. I’d also get a second opinion from another surgeon IMO and see if your daughter can try some PT/OT in the meantime. To have to clean out debris for a third time seems excessive esp in someone so young.

Good luck. Wishing your daughter an uneventful and swift recovery. ❤️xx