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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Bending Knee Post Patella Fracture Surgery
Question: I had patella fracture surgery 9 weeks ago and started PT 6 weeks ago. I am not having success with bending my knee anymore than 30 degrees no matter how much i try. It has been at 30 degrees for 3 weeks. The ortho said he will remove the scar tissue which is keeping e from bending it. How soon after surgery can he remove the scar tissue? also, I read about Sestemic enzymes that can break down scar tissue. have you heard of that? I am wondering if that can help.
Brief Answer:
Need additional surgery
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I appreciate your returning to HCM with your continued concerns over your patellar fracture. Your knee x-rays are remarkable for recent repair of the patellar fracture. you have significant amount off hardware in your knee cap that maybe impinging on your range of motion. If you have been truly working hard in physical therapy to improve strength and improve range of motion then additional surgery would be warranted. With the amount of hardware in your knee there will be extensive scarring and this is probably reducing the range of motion. It may even look like the hardware itself is limiting your ROM. It will be up to the surgeon to decide how soon to remove the hardware, usually it takes 2-4 months after surgery to get full healing.This type of scar tissue requires actually cutting away. Using chemical means of reducing scar tissue is not successful in these cases. I recommend that you continue therapy with ROM exercises and also strengthening exercises. Continue walking and regular exercise to maintain overall health.
In summary
1. extensive scarring of knee cap
2. removal of scar tissue or removal of hardware
3. 2-4 months after surgery
4. continue ROM exercises and strengthening exercises
I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care questions or concerns
Need additional surgery
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I appreciate your returning to HCM with your continued concerns over your patellar fracture. Your knee x-rays are remarkable for recent repair of the patellar fracture. you have significant amount off hardware in your knee cap that maybe impinging on your range of motion. If you have been truly working hard in physical therapy to improve strength and improve range of motion then additional surgery would be warranted. With the amount of hardware in your knee there will be extensive scarring and this is probably reducing the range of motion. It may even look like the hardware itself is limiting your ROM. It will be up to the surgeon to decide how soon to remove the hardware, usually it takes 2-4 months after surgery to get full healing.This type of scar tissue requires actually cutting away. Using chemical means of reducing scar tissue is not successful in these cases. I recommend that you continue therapy with ROM exercises and also strengthening exercises. Continue walking and regular exercise to maintain overall health.
In summary
1. extensive scarring of knee cap
2. removal of scar tissue or removal of hardware
3. 2-4 months after surgery
4. continue ROM exercises and strengthening exercises
I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care questions or concerns
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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