Scar tissue is dead tissue, just like the atrophied tissue created by cortisone shots. Scarring shortens or tightens surrounding tissue. Nearby skin feels as if it's being pulled. Movement in the immediate area feels restricted. Sometimes an elbow , wrist, finger or hand is not able to flex or bend the way it could before surgery.
Range of motion becomes narrower.
Nearby tissue sometimes has the sensation of feeling cool, numb or painful. All these are indicators of a loss of space in the tissue. Return to Top Surgery cannot replace lost space. It should always be a last resort option, and I steer people away from it as much as possible. As with any surgery, please look at all your options and ask hard, serious questions before making a decision.