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Scar Tissue and Pain
Scar tissue and pain. How can scars cause this? Are there typical presentations that can cause symptoms? If you suffer from long-standing chronic pain and tightness. it can be that you have a scar causing the pain and dysfunction. This video explains the havoc it can cause and frequent presentations. Watch now!
Scars are part of the natural tissue healing process. Usually scars are visible and innocuous looking. Often we forget about it and go on our merry way through life.
However, scars can also become very tight and immobile. In fact, visually a scar can look harmless. Once, I assess it using my hands, I can note unseen things under the skin. This can include the actual thickness, depth, length, width and how stuck it is.
Scar tissue and pain can be caused by thickened scars that literally become stuck to pain sensitive structures. These pain sensitive structures include fascia, muscle, bone, nerves, ligaments and tendons.
Scars can cause pain locally and also further away. When I assess it, it can be very painful. The pain and discomfort will be based on how tight and thickened the scar has become.
Scar tissue and pain associated with it is treatable and can be managed.
Common Presentations:
- Local scar from a trauma : This is the most common one. It can be from a fall such as falling on your knee. At times the scar can become thickened and stuck causing local disruption and pain.
- Scars being caused under the skin: A great example of this, is soccer players. I’ve treated a number of soccer players and they can attest to minor foot injuries while playing. Usually these injuries are untreated and they continue playing or training. What can happen is these “micro injuries” can lead to scars that can stick. It can become stuck to pain sensitive structures in the foot. These scars can cause muscles to spasm and fascia to become tight. If the foot becomes problematic it can lead to issues up the chain. This can include your knees, hips and lower back.
- Scars from surgery: This is a very common one. At times the scar can heal in a way that it becomes thick and stuck. A good example is someone coming off knee surgery. The doctor can assess it after the surgery and mention that it is looking “good”. Typically it is more about what the eyeballs observe. It is less about actually feeling the structure. To assess it, you have to be tugging and pulling on it and assessing the depth, width, thickness etc…Over time the patient can start complaining about ongoing pain. Discomfort, tightness and even swelling that stays in the area. These can all be symptoms of an immobile scar.
- Cesarean section scars: These type of scars can cause pain, tightness and dysfunction locally and also further away. Often times I will pull on the scar and the patient can feel pulling into the upper/inner thigh. This scar can cause issues with the abdomen, upper thigh, lower back and hips.
The scar tissue and pain can be treated. If untreated what can happen is that the scar become thicker and more immobile. Call us to discuss your case.
More Resources:
Do you have headaches and shoulder pain? Did you know that it can stem from tight fascia of the chest? Watch our video to learn more. Are you traveling soon? Here are few tips to manage pain.
