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After a knee injury or surgery, scar tissue may develop. This dense tissue can cause lingering stiffness and knee pain. Though scar tissue is part of the body’s natural healing process, it sometimes needs to be broken up to avoid discomfort and limited mobility. Understanding how to manage your scar tissue can enable you to recover faster and avoid negative symptoms. By following some key physical therapy tips, you can start managing your scar tissue and working toward recovery.
How to break up scar tissue in and around your knee: 5 tips
- Seek physical therapy — Breaking up scar tissue effectively can be hard to do on your own. For best results, you can get personalized help from a physical therapist. A licensed physical therapist can guide you through a range of treatments tailored to your needs. Your personal treatment plan will be developed following an initial consultation with your physical therapist. As you make progress in your treatment, your physical therapist can adapt your treatment plan to meet your changing needs. Key physical therapy treatments might include manual therapy, targeted stretches, and more.
- Practice range-of-motion exercises — Excess scar tissue around your knee can limit your flexibility. To restore your flexibility, you can practice certain range-of-motion exercises. Your physical therapist can advise you on which exercises are best for your condition. Key exercises could include heel slides and knee extensions. You can practice these exercises at home or during physical therapy sessions. To do heel slides, start by lying flat on the floor. Keeping your uninjured leg straight, slowly slide your other leg along the floor toward your torso. As your heel gets closer, your knee will naturally bend. Bring your heel as close as you can; then slowly extend your leg again. Repeating this heel slide exercise can help you gradually increase your knee’s range of motion. To do knee extensions, another great flexibility-oriented exercise, start in a seated position. While seated, start to slowly extend your legs forward. Extend your legs until you reach the limit of your range of motion. Hold for a few seconds; then return to the starting position. Together, heel slides and knee extensions work to improve knee extension and flexion. In addition to these exercises, your physical therapist may recommend other stretches to further improve your flexibility. These exercises can provide many benefits beyond increasing range of motion. They can also boost your blood flow, which may accelerate the healing of your scar tissue.
- Use a foam roller — When you’re trying to break up scar tissue, a foam roller can be a great tool. A foam roller is a lightweight tube made of dense foam that can be used to massage soft tissue and assist with stretches. You can roll your foam roller over your thigh and calf to ease tension around your knee. This can help reduce any pain and discomfort caused by your scar tissue. When using a foam roller, you may want to avoid directly rolling over your kneecap, as this may trigger more pain. Your physical therapist can help determine whether a foam roller is right for your situation and advise you on proper usage.
- Exercise in water — Exercising is often an important part of recovery. However, it can sometimes be difficult to get the exercise you need without putting too much pressure on your knee. Exercising too intensely may actually be counterproductive, as it can cause more tissue damage around your knee and lead to more scar tissue buildup. If you want to maintain a consistent exercise routine without hurting your knee, exercising in water can be an excellent solution. Water keeps you buoyant, reducing pressure on your knee and making movement easier. As part of your physical therapy treatment plan, you may engage in aquatic therapy. Aquatic therapy incorporates a range of exercises designed to improve your condition without causing unnecessary stress. Your physical therapist may guide you through gentle stretches and aquatic aerobic exercises during your sessions. Each exercise can be adjusted to match your current physical capabilities. With the right aquatic exercises, you can work to break up your scar tissue in an environment that supports your needs.
- Stay consistent — When it comes to recovery, consistency is key. Breaking up scar tissue doesn’t happen overnight. Recovery takes time, and the process is different for everyone. As you work toward recovery, staying motivated and following professional guidance can be vital to success. There are many different strategies you can use to maintain consistency. One helpful strategy can be following a consistent daily routine. Incorporating PT stretches and strengthening exercises into your daily routine can enable you to make steady progress. Your physical therapist can help you build a treatment plan that encourages consistency while working around your current schedule.
How physical therapy can help you break up your scar tissue after knee replacement
Knee replacement surgery can be necessary in treating certain conditions. This kind of surgery can help ease pain and address disability. According to experts, the most common reason for knee replacement is arthritis. Arthritis refers to a set of chronic conditions that cause joint inflammation. If arthritis is causing inflammation in your knee joint, surgery may be vital to finding relief.
If you are planning to get a knee replacement or if you have already gone through surgery, you are not alone. Knee replacement is a relatively common surgery. Around 790,000 total knee replacements are done every year in the U.S. Though this surgery can be very helpful, it can also come with some downsides. In the days and weeks following surgery, you may notice lingering pain, stiffness, and swelling. Postsurgical rehabilitative physical therapy can be key to speeding up your recovery and preventing excessive scar tissue buildup. Some treatments your physical therapist might provide after knee replacement include:
- Manual therapy — Manual therapy refers to hands-on treatments administered by physical therapists. Your physical therapist may use their hands to manipulate tight muscles around your knee and assist with stretches. When breaking up scar tissue around the knee, soft tissue manipulation can be essential. With this manual therapy technique, your physical therapist will apply controlled pressure to the tissue around your knee. This pressure can help break up scar tissue, increase blood flow, and promote healing. Manual therapy techniques can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. When you’re looking for a physical therapy provider who offers top-notch manual therapy, look for a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT).
- Graston Technique® — Like manual therapy, the Graston Technique involves soft tissue manipulation. However, this treatment differs by incorporating specialized tools. With the Graston Technique, your physical therapist will use stainless steel instruments to manipulate the soft tissue around your knee. This technique can be highly effective for releasing muscle tension and breaking up dense scar tissue.
- Other Post-Surgery PT techniques — Physical therapy offers a comprehensive approach to treatment. Working with your physical therapist, you can build a treatment plan that incorporates a wide range of treatment methods. These will likely include direct treatments such as manual therapy. You may also benefit from less direct treatments, as well. Some other helpful techniques might include ergonomics and lifestyle changes. Your physical therapist can recommend lifestyle modifications to accommodate your healing knee. If you’re an athlete, for example, returning to your sport too quickly might result in re-injury. Your physical therapist can work with you to find a safe path toward a return to sports. This might include dietary changes, modifications to your exercise regimen, and more. The best techniques for your treatment journey will depend on your particular needs and goals. Physical therapists understand the need for personalization, which is why your plan will be tailored to your personal situation.
Lattimore Physical Therapy can help you heal and reduce scar tissue around your knee
At Lattimore Physical Therapy, we’re committed to helping each patient optimize their recovery. Our staff includes 30 fully certified COMTs, enabling us to provide high-quality manual therapy for your knee. With a range of evidence-backed treatments provided by experts, we can help you work to achieve your recovery goals.
Contact our team today for more information about knee rehabilitation or to schedule an initial appointment.
