Is it true there is a direct correlation between the amount of scar tissue and the quality of a surgeons work?

Question

I recently had shoulder surgery. Now I have a frozen shoulder though I swear I did everything my doctor told me! I moved and have a new doctor. The new doc sent me for an MRI with an injection since I am having a difficult time in physical therapy. The radiologist said he could hardly put any dye into my shoulder, because my shoulder had so much scar tissue. (The pain was incredible, I don't know why the pain killer didn't seem to work.) The radiologist acted as if he were shocked and acted as he had never seen so much scar tissue before. Eventually, my shoulder began to seize up and he gave up trying to put more dye in. My arm was in a lot of pain for three days after the MRI. Did I have a bad radiologist or a really bad surgeon?

Answer 1

No, there is no known association between the quality of the work and your scar tissue. It's an inherent reaction to any type of injury, surgery etc.  How much is formed is thought to be related to genetics, although a number of modifiable risk factors can influence this as well.  Of course, prolonged imobilization can lead to worse scar tissue formation, so can diabetes and smoking.  We've got a surgeon we work with who insists on immobilizing everyone for 8 weeks prior to range of motion, while his partner down the street gets them into PT after 1-2 weeks...guess whose patients do better.  

This is a known risk factor with this surgery...some people get it worse than others.  Good luck with your treatment.