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

I do not recall any numbness prior to surgery so I think it was due to TKR. It was primarily the toe area, not whole foot. I was very good about physical therapy with home health and then going to PT and moving my feet when sitting. the numbness was annoying but I never felt it was going to be permanent yet it did last about a year

So you think that the numbness was from your 2nd TKR in 2023 on now has resolved 1 year later.
I think I'm looking for hopefulness. My numbness and pain are on the bottom of my foot following the lateral plantar nerve as well as my heel (Baxter's nerve)

I think so but don’t know for sure, of course. Your situation very well may be different. Have you spoken to your ortho about it? I wish you luck.

Yes, what seems like having seen a 100 doctors, surgeons, therapists, emgs, x-rays, MRIs. They don't know if it was the nerve block or the actual TKR. Bottom line was that I woke up in trouble as my foot and ankle were very swollen causing the compressed nerve. Maybe it ended up in scar tissue, but the medial nerve in my foot recovered within 10 days of TKR. Lateral nerve did not recover...yet.
Apparently if they don't recover after 18 months, they probably won't.
But.....thank you for giving me hope.

Hi, All,
I'm coming in on the end of this conversation. I'll share my situation from my LTHR last March 2023. I went to a a highly reputable ortho. Within a week after surgery, the nerves around my left kneecap area were on fire, like red ants. I had to make a tent with pillows to prevent the sheet from touching my knee as it was seriously painful and I cried. The PA said should clear up in a few months. It did not, but the fire ants and nerves began to be less painful. Then the ortho said it could take 18 months. This month is 18 months. What I have been left with is numbness in thigh from top of knee and on the side nerves. For many months, I had electrical shock feeling in those areas, doctor said that's good b/c nerves regenerating. Now I still have the numbness top of thigh and on side nerve-like sensations and that hurts I bump against something. Sleeping on that side can be uncomfortable. I have a feeling I may just have to live with this the rest of my life. I don't like it, but.... My right hip has osteoarthritis/bone on bone also and has been hurting mostly in mornings. I plan to hold off surgery b/c as of now I can live with the right hip pain easier than the left numb/nerve area. Ortho said it was caused by my femoral nerve being retracted and causing the femoral nerve to be bruised or irritated. He said usually the nerves regenerate. The words "usually" and "should" are always the worrisome ones. I think what's it's caused is neuropathy, but I have never been to another doctor. If I do more doctoring, I may end up worse off. Good luck to all dealing with this. Joint replacements are seriously invasive surgical procedures.
Take care and hope all of us heal!!

Hi. I hear what ya saying. I just had my 1st yr Ann. Revision on R. Knee. Before that was 10 months that I had my TKR. Revision was because of allergy. I’m allergic to the Nickel. I’ve always put that on my Dr forms for past 25 yrs or more. So they did the revision. It’s still not right. I e done numerous PT’s and starting again. Nerve block at the Bursa only last under 24hr. I was having a lot of heat. We’d get the temp gun out just to compare to other knee. Very hot. I’m still icing. In fact I’m icing it now. This totally sucks. Now my other knee which is bad is actually my good knee now. So I don’t dare let anyone touch it. You mention touching (t-pee) same here. But that could also be RSD setting in. I have it in my foot from a foot surgery. It’s like bee stings n fire. I take Gabapentin but it doesn’t help for that area. I’ve been thinking of a nerve ablation but from what I understand the pain n weird numbness can come back after so long. So do I chance it ? My family brings up a little idea, Put a $Dollar in (swear jar idea) because I can’t calm or relax because these vibrations are frustrating. I always say “Dang these Vibrations” I sure hope someone truly finds a cure or reasoning for these.
God Bless our Country 🇺🇸

I’m sorry about your knees. That really sucks.
I suppose it’s a gamble with hip and knee replacement. I know I’m holding off on the right until I cannot endure the pain.
Hang in there!!

Hi, I recently had a revision replacement and the knee and knee pain is doing great, but the foot pain is excruciating. It’s mainly in the heel but the entire foot is numb. I finally was prescribed gabarpentin. I take 300mg every 8 hrs. The medication wears off after about 6 hrs. The pain is almost unbearable. I am getting blood flow to the foot. After reading some of these comments I’m afraid it may never go away.
I’m wondering where you are now with your pain

Wondering if your foot pain ever went away? I had a revision replacement recently and the foot pain and numbness is almost unbearable.

Hi, I recently had a revision replacement and my knee has done great, but the foot pain and numbness is almost unbearable. I was finally prescribed gabarpentin and it helps but not with the numbness.