Foot neuropathy (numbness and pain) after total knee replacement (TKR)

Yes ,yes and yes. Had right total knee replacement in July 2023. On the way home (same day of surgery) my right foot had a weird sensation,like a gradual pulling feeling. My husband had to pull over so I could stand up to relieve the pressure. It felt like I had two socks balled up under my heel and ball of my foot. If I stood the gradual pressure would come. I had to stay off of my foot for a week. My big toe and little toe felt like a band was tight around them with tingling, my outside of the foot was numb,the heel was and still is numb.My surgeon and PT stated it will take months to a year to resolve. I do not take med's for it but 8 months later it has toned down intensity,but still there. If it does not get any better I could live with this. Hopefully it will resolve completely.

“WOW”, I do understand the feeling that you have been challenging!! I too have had both knees replaced and I am having trouble with my right foot. Tingling,sharp pain with stabbing sensation. In other words it Ithurts me to wear any sort of shoe. The pain is so intense at night I can’t sleep at all. I have put everything I can think of on it nothing helps Narcotics or anything I’ve tried massaging the under my littlest toe to make my foot relax enough so I can try to go to sleep. So, Yes, I understand the pain. It’s quite excruciating for myself. My next step is to go to a podiatrist and get a prescription for maybe a different type you but we will see. I hope the best for you and if you find out information, please pass it out.

IVE HAD NEUROPOTHY IN MY ENTIRE RIGHT LEG AFTER 5 TKRs. THE BURNING IS INTENSE EXPECIALLY AT NIGHT. IVE BEEN TAKING GABAPENTIN SINCE AFTER THE FIRST SURGERY IN FEB 2021. MY DOSE IS 800MG 6 TIMES A DAY. IVE USED WATER THERAPY, AND IT HELPS. IVE USED TMASSAGE CHAIRS AND IT HELPS. CHECK FOR CLOTS. I HOPE YOU GET BETTER. GOD BLESS

I just had a total knee replacement 6 weeks ago I have drop foot can't flex ankle. I do have some feelings like pains in foot I do take gabapentin and finishing my P.T. Will go in for more nerve test hopefully it will take care of it fingers cross . I do ware an ankle brase it helps to flex my ankle and lift my toes up a little . GOOD LUCK TO YOU and all going thru this .

Hello, I have the same problem where the popliteal artery is intermittently impinged and it not resolving.

You wrote the 3 following comments:

"I keep going to different doctors until I found someone who cared and she ordered an ABI Test."

" I was sent to a cardiologist who ordered an angiogram which showed the popliteal artery behind by knee was totally blocked."

"I had yet another dangerous surgery where a vascular surgeon cut open the back of my knee and opened the artery."

I have been having difficulty finding drs who understand this. I have been to severa, two orthopedists, a foot doctor, a nerve specialist who said there is no such thing as a vessel entrapment or blockage. I can't find a decent vascular surgeon in my area so I am willing to travel anywhere in the United States if I can find one who has experience with this.

May I ask you who was the first dr who ordered the ABI, the second dr who is a cardiologist and recommended an angiogram and finally, the most important, the vascular surgeon who fixed it?

Thank you for any information that could help.

Mine is the same situation but on top of foot

I had TKR surgery in Sep 2022, and in Aug 2023, so both knees. It has now (Aug 2024) been a year since my second surgery. It has been only recently that I have no neuropathy or any numbness in my feet. After the last surgery, when I mentioned the numbness, they gave me a low dose of Gabapentin to take and I did take it for a little while. Then, I let it go and lived with the numbness. It’s gone. It went away on its own but it took a long time, nearly the full year since the last surgery. It never was painful and it never prevented me from my physical therapy, walking and recovery.

So happy for you.
I had TKR November 2022 on left knee and ended up with painful numb foot.
Just had TKR August 2024 on right knee. Everything is ok with right foot.
Just got booked for November 2024 tarsal tunnel release on left ankle.
Did you get a nerve block for your knee replacements?

I’m going from memory here. In 2022, I had a nerve block which was great. In 2023, the anesthesologist tried to give me a spinal block but I shrieked so much he had to stop. I thought he was going to give me a nerve block but he gave me a femoral block. It was horrible in the sense that I could not even stand up after the surgery, let alone walk. The hospital kept me four days but then had to move me to a rehab center. Over the following 10 days(!) the PT’s got me walking and I was able to go home. So, that’s my story. Despite the “complications” of the last TKR surgery, I am so glad I did it. As you know, one’s new knees aren’ like the old ones in youth but they work great. It’s a lot better than being in a wheel chair. I wish you well for your Nov surgery for the numbness. I’m fortunate mine went away on its own but it took a long time. I found it disconcerting. I’m glad it’s gone.

Did you have any numbness in either foot before either tkr's?
Or did the TKR cause numbness?
Was your whole foot numb or specific areas?