What is scar tissue and how it occurs

Scar tissues will grow as an effect of any kinds of injuries and wounds. This is in fact, a natural way our body shows in healing a wound site. Scars can be noticed easily when it occurs after healed cuts, but will not be visible when happening to the internal sections of the body, such as the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. If these scar tissues are left without any specific treatments, it will likely develop into a barrier which causes pain and discomfort around the surgical wound site.

When we have injuries, our body produces more collagen as an initial step of new cell formation. Granulation formation in the initial phase of wound healing is necessary to provide strength to the wound site. However, in certain occasions, this granulation ply the muscles, tendons, or other inner tissues, resulting in poor structure of the regenerating tissues. It is not surprising, therefore, that the scar tissues causes lack of flexibility of the tissues and leads to pain and discomfort around the post-surgery wound site.

Why scar tissue is common with knee surgery

Scar tissues occur with all surgery, and the amount is based on the location of the incision and how many surgeries you have. Scar tissues is a common problem occurring along with surgery of the knee, plying the tendons and muscles on the wound site together. The effects of scar tissues occurring after knee surgery include:

• Less flexible knee, which cannot be bent or stretched.
• Painful joints and muscles occurring with movements.
• Swelling wound site around the post-surgical knee.
• Deep infection.

Preventing scar tissues from forming after knee surgery

Since most wounds cause scar tissues, it is important to prevent these tissues from plying the surrounding tissues, tendons, and muscles in order to let the post-surgical wound site heal properly. Post-surgical knee stiffness does not only limit the movements which can be done by the knee, but also cause daily knee dysfunction and pains. Hence, eliminating scar tissue which is forming during knee surgery healing will be essential. This will prevent tight muscles which causes movement limitations.

As many people are prone to scarring more than some others, breaking the forming scar tissues during post-surgical healing is an important step to consider. In most cases with knee stiffness, scar tissues occur and build up really quickly after surgery. To avoid prolonged stiffness, there are some things you need to consider in dealing with the problem, such as:

• Healing the surgery incision well and thorough. This will be important since eliminating scar tissues can be performed after the incision wound itself heals properly. To do this, perform a good wound care which promotes the formation of new skin tissues well.
• After surgery, start doing light exercises involving the operated knee. Light jogging, walking, or static cycling are beneficial in preserving knee flexibility and breaking up the scar tissues.
• If you wish to do something to inhibit excessive growth of scar tissues, do it not more than 6 month after the surgery. This will be important, since the tissues on the wound site have not been heavily and tightly plied to one another. After one year after surgery, there is nothing can be done about this ply.
• Giving circular massage to the stiff knee after the operation will be beneficial in reducing the plied scar tissues. To do this, massage the surrounding wound site and the healed wound with your index finger. Move the finger around it with gentle pressure and circular movement. This will help loosening up the plied tissues, as well as promoting sufficient blood supply into the wound site.
• Foam roller can also be used in releasing muscle knot after surgery. To do some stretching with the instrument, do the following steps:
  • Lay down on the side of your knee and put the foam roller beneath it.
  • Use the hand to support the body, but focusing your weight onto the roller.
  • Move the roller back and forth with your knee upon it.
  • Repeat the movement, shifting to another side of the body to gain maximum effects.