Neuropathy and knee replacement

Hello @beth4345, Welcome to Connect. I asked myself that very question prior to getting my right knee replaced when I was 75. I'm 81 now and happy to say that it didn't make my neuropathy any worse or better. It is good to have a discussion on the topic with your surgeon or care team. When I discussed it with my surgeon and care team they explained the possibility of the risks involved with the surgery. I just wanted the knee pain gone and am happy with my knee replacement.

I only have numbness and some minor tingling with my neuropathy but I know if you have pain as a neuropathy symptom it would be more worrisome. Have you had a chance to discuss it with the surgeon or care team?

I had a total knee replacement and my neuropathy in my leg and foot is no better or worse than it was before the operation.

I underwent bilateral knee replacement. I had been unable to walk much prior to surgery because of OA and pain. My leg muscles became weak. Since surgery my walking has improved significantly. I have no pain. I have been working on strengthening my leg muscles. However, my proprioception and position sense in my legs are diminished. Nerve conduction studies showed some mild non-specific sensory neuropathy, non-alcoholic and non-diabetic. Subsequence, consequence, or coincidence? Not clear.

Welcome @michaelsz, I only had my right knee done but can relate some with what you are feeling. For me I just have keep with some daily exercises and maintaining what leg strength I have. If you haven't already seen the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy site, it has a wealth of information on helping us folks with neuropathy - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/.

It's great to hear your walking has improved significantly. Have you found any other exercises or treatments that have helped you?

Yes. I do a variety of exercises for my legs as directed by my physio: range of motion for knees and hips and muscle strengthening for my leg muscles, some general exercises: e.g. push-ups, sit ups, some balance exercises I had been doing them daily but became very tired, and my physio told me to cut down to 3 x/ week. Doing them 3x/week has decreased my fatigue. On the off days I do some Tai chi, shown to me as part of a post-operative programme after some not-related cancer surgery. I also try to walk 5-10,000 steps per day. I can only get to 10,000 about 1-2 x per week; otherwise I can get very fatigued. I can usually do about 5000. I do use a cane or walking stick only to help with my balance.... Good luck to you. I will check the website you cite.

I just had my knee replaced in August of 2024, and it was horrific. I should have reminded my surgeon about my peripheral neuropathy, but it was already on my charts as well as the meds I was on, so I didn’t give it a second thought. I was too concerned about the knee surgery itself.
My supposedly outpatient procedure turned into a 2 1/2 day hospital stay and then into physical rehab because they couldn’t treat my neuropathy pain which was in both legs. I spend days sobbing in pain.
My suggestion is to remind them of your neuropathy issues up front as well as the meds you are on, as I have found out the hard way that medical charts aren’t always looked at as well as they should. You should be fine if they know ahead of time how to treat your neuropathy, because it will be affected by this procedure. Take nothing for granted. Good luck with your surgery!
PS, it is 3 months later, my knee is doing great, and my neuropathy is under control once again. There are happy endings after trials and tribulations.

How did you get your neuropathy under control again?

It wasn’t easy nor without a lot of pain & tears. I just got back on my own supply of neuropathy medication, (Clonazepam & Lyrica) though it did take a while. I also was on Tylenol arthritis for my knee, and they also put me on Cymbalta. I’m talking weeks of it intermittently reoccurring for no special reason. I had been off of all neuropathy meds for a total of 5 days, but the pain hit me immediately after knee replacement. It just aggravated my nerves in both legs. I’m sure I was the exception to this surgery, but sadly we have to be our own advocates when in medical settings, and never assume anything.

Thanks for your response as it was helpful. Am gathering info and determining questions I need to ask before surgery.

Thanks…really helpful information and guidance.