Stiffness w/ Surgery Two ACL scar tissue

by Jeremy
(Minnesota)

I am a 29 year old male. I am very competitive and active. This summer June 14th I tore my ACL, meniscus damage, & and impact fracture when my tibia busted through the cartilidge surrounding my femur. (Bone to Bone impact)
I had to be on crutches to let the bone bruising heal. I had 90 degrees ROM going into surgery as they thought cartilidge may have been in the way. I had surgery on August 10th. My ROM and extension never really came around. I was around 90 for ROM and my leg would not straighten.
I had a second surgery to remove scar tissue on Sept.28th. I am 3 weeks out and my leg can straighten however my ROM is only at 90 degrees and super stiff. After talking with a physical therapist not even 3 weeks out he thinks my scarring has formed again. Wondering if anyone else is or has been in the same predicament? I have been going to PT 5 days a week and rehabbing on my own. I have been extremely frustrated and mentally tired.
Any success stories pertaining to this? At first I wanted to get back and play at a high level. Now I just want to walk normally and be able to run after my 2 year old daughter.
Thanks!
Jeremy

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Stiffness w/ Surgery Two ACL scar tissue

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Apr 17, 2011
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Where to go from here??
by: Jamie

i had acl surgery 8 weeks ago, another surgery 2 weeks ago to remove scar tissue, and now feel like i am stuck again...i feel that nagging tightness just above the knee cap, and the ROM is stuck again...i am wanting a second opinion, not sure where to go from here,,,a 3rd surgery just makes me want to lay down and cry. I teach gymnastics..needless to say, i am losing my voice... having to sit to coach is making me crazy!!!

Apr 17, 2011
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Jan 12, 2011
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Scar tissue Buldging
by: Berto

I too had ACL reconstruction surgery, although it was back in Aug 2006. Since then, my knee is occassionaly sore, but more significant is a bulgding growth near scar of surgery. At first I had no idea what the firm yet pliable buldge was. Aside from its sheer size protruding out, there was sharp pain associated with it. I have experienced the buldge multiple times since then, every time suffering sharp pain and discomfort. Ive visited a reg doctor who couldnt identify it, ordered xrays, but never followed up with a diagnosis. The only therapy that has helped is accupressure directly on the buldge. It eventually retracts, decreases in size and pain, until forgotten.
Originally after surgery, orders were to stay off the leg 100% for 10days, then I began rehab. Having a great desire for 100% recovery and improvement, I worked hard and had quick progress thru therapy. Now im wondering if i pushed too hard, too quick??
Any advice? Suggestions?

Nov 28, 2010
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ACL Surgery
by: Anonymous

Hello,
I'am a 36 year old female, on September 11, 2010 I tore my ACL dancing. I had surgery on October 14, 2010. Within 4wks after surgery I am not able to bend my left knee no more than 70 degrees. My leg would not straigthen to 0. I have been increased to PT for 5dys a week and still no progress. My physician ordered me a CPM and a Knee Hab to help in the process of bending my knee and strengthing my quad. It's been 2 1/2 weeks and I have only been able to get to 75 degrees. There is a tightness just below my knee where the Patella graph was taken. Also, there is minimal pain above my knee where tissue was taken from my quadceps. I'm emotionally drained and scared of my future not knowing if I'll ever be able to walk normal again. Is there anything that I can do to help in the process of bending my knee?

May 21, 2010
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my bf is the same
by: m0m0ko

My bf is also is the same situation. He had his surgery in April 2009 with the patellar graft. He was feeling uncomfortness and some times pain then he had a second surgery to clean out the scar tissue in 12/09. A few weeks after his surgery, he was fine, but then he starting having the same problem again. He couldn't sit, stand, or walk for anything more than an hour. Constantly getting up and having to strighten his knee. His extension is good and his leg can touch his butt. He's seen 3 doctors. Two has no clue and think he will get better and 1 thinks that he's doomed and will be like this for the rest of his life. He's gonna get 4th opinion again from another doctor. It's been 13 months after his first surgery and 6 months after his second. He still struggling and not feeling better. Anyone had such experience?

Mar 05, 2010
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Same Story
by: Anonymous

Your story is almost identical to mine! I'm hear looking for advice as well. My arthroscopic "buff and polish" to remover scar tissue was less than 3 weeks ago and I've been spending lots of time on a stationary bike and am hoping for the best in getting my full extension back soon!

Oct 27, 2009
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Scar tissue Problems
by: Allison

Hello Jeremy. I'm so sorry to hear about your problems with scar tissue. I've also had problems in that area and hope to be a success story. It's been a long road that isn't over. I'm a 44 year old female firefighter, mountain biker, runner, adventure racer (so as you can see I rely on my legs for everything).
I tore my ACL on March 28th, 2009. I had my first surgery on April 14th to reconstruct my ACL using my patellar tendon and to clean up meniscus damage. After doing a lot of therapy, my progress stalled. I was having a lot of pain so I asked for an MRI. It showed a lot of scar tissue within and around my knee. I had a second surgery on July 7th to remove this scar tissue. I felt good afterwards but a few weeks later I was feeling that familiar tightness and pain again. My flexion is around 150 degrees after alot of stretching. Extension is just a few degrees short of my good knee but I believe that is what is limiting me the most. It's a problem when I try to run or hike. I just had another MRI which showed more scar tissue. My choices are "wait and see" if the tissue loosens over time (my doctor thinks it will) or another surgery with no guarantees that scar tissue will not come back. As you can imagine, I do not want another surgery but I am not happy with the way my knee is now. I want to get back to work and all my activities just like you do. So right now I'm taking the wait and see approach while I continue to rehab and ride my bike (thank goodness that doesn't bother me).
There are some good sites online explaining scar tissue problems and what can be done after surgery to prevent its regrowth. I don't have the info with me but I'll get back to you later. In the mean time search arthrofibrosis. There are some doctors in NJ and Pennsylvania that specialize with that problem.
Good luck to you (and me). Let me know how this turns out for you.
Allison
P.S. If you want to contact directly, my e-mail is alifontana@bellsouth.net

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