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Deep Tissue Massage

Posted , 7 users are following.

tneel317
tneel317

Hi Family,

I am 10 weeks post-op with LTKR. I am 3 weeks post-op after manipulation and scar tissue removal. I am still having a very hard time sleeping, bending, walking, etc. Still have quite a bit of scar tissue and can only reach about a 100 bend and that is with the TENS unit on my thigh. I am going to see a Deep Tissue Massage Therapist tomorrow morning. She said she will break up all of my scar tissue and loosen the muscles in my quad/thigh. She did say I will be screaming and crying, so needless to say I am very frightened but I am willing to do anything to get this knee going again. I was only 105 before my actual TKR due to 5 arthoscopies and 2 of them involved a lateral release. I am a 45 year old femaie. 

Has anyone had experience with deep tissue massaging and if so, did it work?

Thanks so much!

Tracie

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • tneel317
    tneel317

    Posted

    Oh, I meant to include that I am able to get to that 100 degrees with the TENS unit AND that is with the PT pushing the leg back until it hurts.
  • moandrieu
    moandrieu tneel317

    Posted

    I've not hade a deep tissue massage on my knee. I'm thinking you need lots of pain meds before you go. And ice on the ready. Please let us know how it goes.

  • shannon95042
    shannon95042 tneel317

    Posted

    Hi Tracie.  I'm about 6 months post op RTKR & also had to have a manipulation.  I was 110 prior to replacement due to 5 previous surgeries from a car accident.  I am probably around 100-105 now.  I've stopped focusing on the number & started focusing on getting back to my activites prior to surgery.  I didn't have deep tissue massage but I did massage with oils nightly.  I'm still not perfect going down stairs, but I've come a long way.  It sounds like youre doing great for 10 weeks!  I was very active prior to surgery (rowing & spin classes) and I just started back at spinning, which has been a great mood boost.  I'm a 46 year old female.  Good luck with the massge!  Let me know how it goes!

    Shannon

    • tneel317
      tneel317 shannon95042

      Posted

      Thanks Shannon, I will. Sounds like u are doing great! Yes, the number, number, number, lol. I have to stop focusing on it. I feel like I am consumed with it. rolleyes

    • shannon95042
      shannon95042 tneel317

      Posted

      Everyone kept telling me to stop focusing on it, but I couldn't!  I stopped going to PT (after 6 months!) because I was traveling a lot for work & doing exercises on my own and it seemed like the only time I would improve was when I was on my own for a week or two!  

      I remember my surgeon telling me that it would take at least 3-6 months to get back to my usual activities & I thought he was insane smile  I think I can still improve a bit.  I could hardly do a revolution on the bike at PT and today I finished a 45 min spin class (a bit slow, but I finished!).

      Do you have anything to take for pain beofre your massage?  My Dr gave me tramodal & I'll still take 1/2 a pill occassionally if I know I'll be on my feet all day.

       

    • tneel317
      tneel317 shannon95042

      Posted

      That's awesome! I can't wait to get all the way around on the bike. Yes, I still have some pain meds. They seem to have stopped working or I just became immune to them, lol. Still going to take them a bit before I have to go tho.

  • joy08417
    joy08417 tneel317

    Posted

    My TKR was in March, following with two manipulations. I started going to a massage therapist three weeks ago and it has really helped!! I'm building scar tissue fast, so he is trying to break it up!! It is VERY painful, but so worth it if it works!! I'm so ready to get my life back!!!!

    • tneel317
      tneel317 joy08417

      Posted

      Good to hear Joy! Do u go once a week? I'm glad to hear it's working. Are you getting more bend? That dang nasty scar tissue just doesn't give up ??

    • joy08417
      joy08417 tneel317

      Posted

      Yes . . I'm going once a week, but I would go twice a week if I could afford it! It has helped . . A lot!! I think my bend is a little better( haven't had it measured), but it just doesn't feel as tight. And he is working on strengthening my quad muscle so I can lift my leg better to bend!! I met another lady who was struggling with her TKR and she said the massage therapy saved her life!!! I'm at the point on this crazy, painful journey that I will try everything to get better!!!!!

  • jodi009
    jodi009 tneel317

    Posted

    Hi Tracie,

    I'm a remedial massage therapist and I had my own patella relocation surgery almost 2 years ago. Obviously I couldn't do my own massage (your body tends to not let you do stuff that hurts), but I did get massage on it twice a week and I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was indeed very painful and I cried like a baby.

    Breaking up the scar tissue is really important in helping you get back as much movement as possible as it helps to normalise the muscle movement, which greatly assists physio.

    Good Luck!

    Jodi

     

    • shannon95042
      shannon95042 jodi009

      Posted

      Hi Jodi.  Is there a time frame that you have to be in in order to break up scar tissue?  I'm sure the earlier the better, but I'm curious if its possible to break it up 6 months after surgery?

    • tneel317
      tneel317 jodi009

      Posted

      Thanks Jodi. I am not Lookin forward to it at all. 😔
    • jodi009
      jodi009 shannon95042

      Posted

      Hi Shannon,

      You are correct, the earlier the better, but you can still absoulutely benefit from scar tissue work. Being that you've had 6 months of healing it may take longer to be effective and will probably be painful. I'm still experiencing healing and strengthening almost two years after my surgery (I don't have massage very regularly any more, but that's mostly laziness on my part). 

      Make sure you find an accredited remedial massage therapist with at least two years Diploma level training.

      Good luck!

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