1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Scar tissue

Posted , 6 users are following.

Athlete47
Athlete47

9 weeks out of medial meniscus root repair. Can't bend knee past 90 and can't straighten all the way. Very painful and knee pops constantly every time I move around. Knee cap very stiff as well. I have been doing my exercises religiously and am very active. Ortho says I've developed scar tissue due to my immobility for 7 weeks and he will need to go in and loosen. Any feedback will be appreciated. Very frustrated and confused what to do. Thank you. 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Daddio180
    Daddio180 Athlete47

    Posted

    I'm sorry I have never heard of your procedure before I had bilateral knee replacement is it the same unfortunately if your doctor is saying that he's going to have to go back in your next course of action will be to consult with a lawyer and see what your options are going to be going on forward good luck hope everything works out just be careful of one thing I don't know your age but don't get addicted to opiates that's all I got to say you'll go from the opiate to the Suboxone addiction just don't get addicted to opiates

    • Athlete47
      Athlete47 Daddio180

      Posted

      I am 47, female athlete. I ripped my meniscus root of the tibia. Repaired by tying the root back to tibia with a button drilled through the bone. I stopped my pain meds one week after surgery. I totally understand the dangers and manage the best I can with ibuprofen. You think I should really consult a lawyer? 
    • susan25378
      susan25378 Athlete47

      Posted

      I don't see any reason for you to consult a lawyer.  Our bodies repair themselves in different ways. I had a meniscus tear repaired 11/16.   My surgeon and I discussed whether it would take care of my pain. It didn't, and I am now 4 weeks post op of a partial knee replacement.  Everything is looking good. If you trust your surgeon you should be able to discuss your concerns and options with him or her.  People need to quit running to a lawyer for everything.  Best wishes on a full recovery??

  • lewis_1988
    lewis_1988 Athlete47

    Posted

    Hi Athlete47 I am currently 7 week post operative for an MCL reconstruction, I am currently in a brace and can not bend past 90 and straightening is even harder, my knee cap is also painful. I have found that a heat pack on top of my knee with very light pressure pushing down helps with straightening a few times a day and also lying on my stomach on the bed with legs hanging off let gravity do the work. PT don't seem concerned just listen to your Body and take it slow

    • Athlete47
      Athlete47 lewis_1988

      Posted

      The 7 weeks non mobile with leg locked was tough. I have done all the pushing down, hanging leg and patella excersises. Initially helps then reverts right back with rest. Very frustrating thinking of another surgery. My understanding is once they clean up the scar tissue the pain will be gone. 
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 Athlete47

    Posted

    Not sure I understand the lawyer comment. You can sue your back to perfection. Scar tissue is one if not the biggest issues of all joint surgery. I had a tkr revision and the following day fell and broke my femur. They put a plate in from hip to knee. 8 screws, 4 all the way through the bone, 6 weeks of immobility and eventually 2 serious bots of staph resulting in several additional surgeries and a 3rd prosthesis. The truth is, injuries and in my case a rare tumor create issues beyond the immediate grasp of the medical professionals. As far as the scar tissue, and I'm a scar tissue manufacturing machine, steady exercise and hard work are the answers. Going in with a scope and loose ing it up is a technique but the bike and leg press equipment are your best bet. Unfortunately, we expect perfection every time a Dr cuts on us but our bodies are just that, ours and no one know how they are going or if they are going to return to their former state. This message is probably not what you had hoped for but sometimes reality is more pervasive than wishes. Incidentially, my journey started at age 65 and I'm now 80. I used to be a low handicapper on the golf course but haven't been able to play in 15 years. I'm now caregiver for my wife of nearly 60 years who is in her last stages of life, suffering from Parkinson's. Sometimes we just don't know our future and I guess its best we don't.

    Good luck and I hope you are back participating at a high level soon. Just give it time and learn that developing patience is one of the side effects of knee problems.

  • donna31498
    donna31498 Athlete47

    Posted

    I had tkr surgery on left knee in February and on the right knee in April. I did my therapy and home exercises as instructed. However I developed scar tissue in both knees and had to have arthroscopic surgery to have it removed. It helped a lot and I'm glad I had it done. 

  • cheryl86544
    cheryl86544 Athlete47

    Posted

    Don't worry about it now.  Plenty of time before there's any concern.  Exercise as much as you can without having to "push through the pain" too much.  There'll be some pushing through pain, to a degree, but not too much. 

    This is still very early days for you and very normal. 

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.