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Damage from Iovera Nerve block prior to TKR

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Dec 4 4:01pm | Replies (125)

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@steve8899

I had TKR Feb 19. When the nerve block wore off the next day, i had unbearable pain when I stood up. As the blood ran into my leg as I stood up, it was immediately on FIRE. The worst lasted for more than 2 weeks, no sleep during that time. Doctors staff was totally incompetent with the pain meds. Could not do the physical therapy due to pain. I was told by an anesthesiologist and a physical therapist that i must have nerve damage. By the time i was able to do physical therapy, I had already built up enough scar tissue that i could not bend past 90 degrees no matter how hard i tried. Doctor said he had to go in and remove scar tissue with an arthroscopic procedure. He said i should have the Iovera before the procedure. I trusted him and did no homework. Had Iovera May 10, surgery on May 22. Iovera procedure was very uncomfortable. He hit the nerve a couple times resulting in electrical shock like pain. Knee was totally numb after with some pain and swelling at the injection sites with a large knot in my quad just above the knee. Arthroscopic surgery went well, 135 degrees flex within a few days with minimal pain. He had me on 10 mg oxy for 10 days after the procedure. I am over 4 months from the Iovera, and still very numb. Occasionally i get a stabbing pain in the knee and sometimes in the foot.?? I think being able to feel what is going on in the knee would help in the recovery. I am having a difficult time strengthening the leg. Walking up steps is difficult. Before the TKR surgery, i had no trouble with strength, only pain. I feel like the Iovera has hindered my recovery. It could be that the PA did not do the procedure properly since i was told that the numbness would last up to 90 days. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have done the Iovera. Avoid it if you can.

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Replies to "I had TKR Feb 19. When the nerve block wore off the next day, i had..."

I'm sorry to hear this! I actually cancelled my TKR that was scheduled for 9/10. I started doing my own exercises daily/and cortisone/red light therapy, etc. Yes, I realize that is just a 'bandaid,' but so hoping that new things will come up that will make the recovery of TKR a bit easier! I hope you get through this with as little discomfort as possible! I was hoping that Iovera would work when I do have a TKR, but have to consider the good/bad of it! Thanks and good luck to you!

I had TKR for my right knee in 2021. My knee has never been the same. It still hurts going up and down the stairs. My left knee is bad but I have decided to never put myself through another knee surgery again. I was allergic to several pain meds and told to take Extra Strength Tylenol. I couldn’t sleep, was in excruciating pain and became depressed. Once I went to outside PT, I got a wonderful therapist who gave me a lot of encouragement. However, I had to go to PT for six months, twice a week.