calbiker
12-27-2007, 04:41 PM
Anyone know about internal scarring after arthroscopy?
I'm 54, and an active biker, hiker, and skier. I had surgery a year and a half ago to trim a meniscus tear, and it was successful in eliminating the pain and moderate swelling I had after any excercise. No arthritis found in the knee. Within a few months, I was able to do anything without pain, and had my full range of motion. But, there would be slight swelling afterward. I thought this would take some more months, but it persisted for a year.
I returned to the doctor, had a cortisone injection for what he thought was scar tissue from the surgery, and felt better for a few weeks, but the slight pain and swelling returned. It's 80~90% as good as my other knee, which is in perfect shape. I thought there might be other damage, since I went skiing a few months after surgery, so I had another MRI -- no new damage. He recommends another two successive cortisone injections a month apart . . ..
My questions: Is it likely that the scarring may reduce over more time, or will it stay as it is? Is there danger that I may get too much cortisone and weaken the rest of my knee tissue? If I do get the cortisone, is there anything I can do to increase the chance of breaking up the scar tissue? (Again, I already have full range of motion.)
Thanks.
I'm 54, and an active biker, hiker, and skier. I had surgery a year and a half ago to trim a meniscus tear, and it was successful in eliminating the pain and moderate swelling I had after any excercise. No arthritis found in the knee. Within a few months, I was able to do anything without pain, and had my full range of motion. But, there would be slight swelling afterward. I thought this would take some more months, but it persisted for a year.
I returned to the doctor, had a cortisone injection for what he thought was scar tissue from the surgery, and felt better for a few weeks, but the slight pain and swelling returned. It's 80~90% as good as my other knee, which is in perfect shape. I thought there might be other damage, since I went skiing a few months after surgery, so I had another MRI -- no new damage. He recommends another two successive cortisone injections a month apart . . ..
My questions: Is it likely that the scarring may reduce over more time, or will it stay as it is? Is there danger that I may get too much cortisone and weaken the rest of my knee tissue? If I do get the cortisone, is there anything I can do to increase the chance of breaking up the scar tissue? (Again, I already have full range of motion.)
Thanks.