Why Keloid Scars Matter Before Total Knee Replacement
Description: Do Keloid Scars Raise Your Risk of a Stiff Knee After Knee Replacement? #shorts
New research from Johns Hopkins, published in The Journal of Arthroplasty, adds an important piece to our understanding of stiffness after knee replacement.
The question: do patients who form #keloids or hypertrophic scars on the skin also scar more aggressively inside the knee? Researchers used a large national health records database and matched patients with a keloid history to similar patients without one, controlling for age, sex, race, overall health, smoking, obesity, and mental health. Patients with prior knee surgery or trauma, two known drivers of stiffness, were excluded.
The findings were clear: patients with a history of keloids had a significantly higher risk of arthrofibrosis at one and two years after total knee replacement. Most of that added risk appeared in the first few months. Revision rates did not differ significantly.
Why would skin scarring relate to a stiff knee? Both share similar biology: TGF-beta signaling drives fibroblasts to overproduce collagen, and those cells stay active longer than they should. A keloid on the skin may be an outward sign of how a patient heals on the inside. For at-risk patients, it supports earlier range of motion checks, consistent physical therapy, and a lower threshold to intervene when motion goals are not met. The message is simple: if you have a history of keloids, tell your surgeon. It does not mean you will develop a stiff knee, and most patients do very well. It means your care team can watch your progress closely when it matters most.
SHARE your #kneereplacementrecovery experience & insights
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Garcia D, et al. J Arthroplasty. 2026. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2026.07.059. PMID: 42542306. This is an association study, not proof of cause, but it is a meaningful step toward personalized recovery planning.
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𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘, 𝗠𝗗 | Orthopedic Surgeon · Franklin/Nashville, Tennessee
🌐 https://corycalendinemd.com
📅 Free joint replacement guide: https://corycalendinemd.com/free-joint-replacement-guide/
🌐 See Dr. Calendine in your Google & AI search results: https://corycalendinemd.com/preferred
📍 Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee · 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
📞 (615) 791-2630
About Dr. Cory Calendine, MD - 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
In the operating room, I get to perform more than 700 hip & knee replacement surgeries each year. From LIVE surgical demos to viral video highlights, together let's explore - react - discuss all things related to bone and joint health. #orthopedicsurgeon #jointreplacement
THANK YOU for your comments, questions and suggestions. If there’s a medical topic or question you want me to discuss, please comment below. We are building a library of orthopedic medical video content focused on your requests and responses.
📽️ Watch latest hip & knee surgery videos ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtuCgnGoZNPFvJ2EzRZNHgw/videos
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Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and/or treatment. All content [images, digital graphics, text, and other information] contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace or substitute for a consultation with a qualified physician or health professional. Close description
New research from Johns Hopkins, published in The Journal of Arthroplasty, adds an important piece to our understanding of stiffness after knee replacement.
The question: do patients who form #keloids or hypertrophic scars on the skin also scar more aggressively inside the knee? Researchers used a large national health records database and matched patients with a keloid history to similar patients without one, controlling for age, sex, race, overall health, smoking, obesity, and mental health. Patients with prior knee surgery or trauma, two known drivers of stiffness, were excluded.
The findings were clear: patients with a history of keloids had a significantly higher risk of arthrofibrosis at one and two years after total knee replacement. Most of that added risk appeared in the first few months. Revision rates did not differ significantly.
Why would skin scarring relate to a stiff knee? Both share similar biology: TGF-beta signaling drives fibroblasts to overproduce collagen, and those cells stay active longer than they should. A keloid on the skin may be an outward sign of how a patient heals on the inside. For at-risk patients, it supports earlier range of motion checks, consistent physical therapy, and a lower threshold to intervene when motion goals are not met. The message is simple: if you have a history of keloids, tell your surgeon. It does not mean you will develop a stiff knee, and most patients do very well. It means your care team can watch your progress closely when it matters most.
SHARE your #kneereplacementrecovery experience & insights
.
.
Garcia D, et al. J Arthroplasty. 2026. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2026.07.059. PMID: 42542306. This is an association study, not proof of cause, but it is a meaningful step toward personalized recovery planning.
.
📲 SUBSCRIBE NOW for new #surgery videos
𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘, 𝗠𝗗 | Orthopedic Surgeon · Franklin/Nashville, Tennessee
🌐 https://corycalendinemd.com
📅 Free joint replacement guide: https://corycalendinemd.com/free-joint-replacement-guide/
🌐 See Dr. Calendine in your Google & AI search results: https://corycalendinemd.com/preferred
📍 Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee · 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
📞 (615) 791-2630
About Dr. Cory Calendine, MD - 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
In the operating room, I get to perform more than 700 hip & knee replacement surgeries each year. From LIVE surgical demos to viral video highlights, together let's explore - react - discuss all things related to bone and joint health. #orthopedicsurgeon #jointreplacement
THANK YOU for your comments, questions and suggestions. If there’s a medical topic or question you want me to discuss, please comment below. We are building a library of orthopedic medical video content focused on your requests and responses.
📽️ Watch latest hip & knee surgery videos ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtuCgnGoZNPFvJ2EzRZNHgw/videos
𝐋𝐄𝐓'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓:
TikTok ▶️ https://www.tiktok.com/@corycalendinemd
LinkTree ▶️ https://linktr.ee/corycalendinemd
𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒:
Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and/or treatment. All content [images, digital graphics, text, and other information] contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace or substitute for a consultation with a qualified physician or health professional. Close description