Hi everyone,
Many of you have already read Ruth's excellent new blog about massage, and how it may be able to help people with arthrofibrosis. I know that I benefit from regular massage, especially of the muscles on my affected leg, which become tight and uncomfortable. This makes a lot of sense because, as Ruth explains, the increased local circulation and lymph drainage that results from massage is likely to help the body fight fibrosis, even although it is short-term in duration.
Gentle massage is probably especially helpful when the affected limb isn't moved much, such as post-operatively, because of the lack of muscle contractions that are necessary to move lymph. However, it's likely that massage can also help to clear away the toxic by-products of exercise, including lactic acid and cellular debris.
This is an unexplored area of arthrofibrosis therapy, and we would love to hear about your experience with massage so we can learn more (no names please if you have negative feedback).
Kayley
Ive found that AF (knee in my case) causes all sorts of adhesions with soft tissue that runs through the knee. So most muscle/ligament chains of the leg are effected. Because of these adhesions and also the poor movement patterns from crutches and limping around and favouring the other leg, cause all sorts of tightness in all kinds of weird places up and down the leg/ lower back.
I've found moderate to intense massage of areas other than the knee to be hugely beneficial in recovery and regaining movement. during early recovery post op I'd find a certain movement tricky or impossible (for example straightening back leg into a lunge) I'd show my massage therapist and he'd trace the associated soft tissue chain and find some kind of mess to iron out. over a few sessions he could 'unlock' that mess and I'd gain that movement. we did this for many areas.
Massage of the actual knee post surgery, we probably went a bit too hard and it would get quite angry and inflamed/hot but feel looser. I wouldn't recommend that in hindsight.
That type of aggressive manipulation of the scar tissue was however quite benefficial after most of the healing was done (for me about 5 months) it felt like it would loosen up the scar tissue and I would immediately exercise into the full range of motion to try and lock in some gains.