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Damage from Iovera Nerve block prior to TKR

Posted by kathi65 @kathi65, Nov 8, 2022

I had right TKR 18 weeks ago. Prior to surgery I had lower leg neuropathy and a neurologist could not determine why after testing (you're part of the 20% of the population that gets it for an unknown reason she said). My surgeon recommended the Iovera nerve block prior to surgery because it would help with pain after the surgery. He said that the nerve block would last for about 3 months. I had no problem when the injection was done, minimal bruising and my leg was numb. It's now been more than 3 months later and I still have numbness going all the way down the inside of my thigh to my knee and when I touched the skin it feels like someone's taking a razor blade and slicing my skin open. I'm also having problems when I bend my leg in certain ways or touch my leg in certain spots I start get sharp nerve pains down on my lower leg. I don't know if this is from the Iovera injection or not. And I have a feeling nobody's really going to tell me. Has this happened to anybody else? I already had a chronic pain condition before surgery and if I had known that I would feel the way I do now I don't think I would have had my knee replaced!

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csr346 | @csr346 | Nov 19 5:28pm
In reply to @lindielulu "Just reading the updates and came across this. My experience with Iovera was not a wooden..." + (show)
@lindielulu

Just reading the updates and came across this. My experience with Iovera was not a wooden leg feeling. In fact, everything except my knee was numbed. The procedure itself was not that painful, it was and is what I am experiencing now. Burning pain, muscle pain, just generally painful where I expected it to be numb. I did not have the surgery due to another reason and I didn't know I wasn't having it until the day after Iovera treatment. So I am still suffering from the painful effects of the Iovera. I hear it works for some people, for me it would have just been a painful addition to the surgery. It is a chance people take but I would never do it again.

Jump to this post

I was researching Iovera reviews to see if it was something that would help with knee pain. These reviews are not encouraging. I had TKR in 2009 and again in 2019…on the same knee! Didn’t use the same surgeon because I was in so much pain after the first replacement I’m still in pain with that knee and now my “good” knee is hurting. I take 4 Percocet daily and they don’t do much for pain anymore. I’m so over it…

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1 reply
lindielulu | @lindielulu | Nov 20 11:11am
In reply to @csr346 "I was researching Iovera reviews to see if it was something that would help with knee..." + (show)
@csr346

I was researching Iovera reviews to see if it was something that would help with knee pain. These reviews are not encouraging. I had TKR in 2009 and again in 2019…on the same knee! Didn’t use the same surgeon because I was in so much pain after the first replacement I’m still in pain with that knee and now my “good” knee is hurting. I take 4 Percocet daily and they don’t do much for pain anymore. I’m so over it…

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I am so sorry and your story is the very reason I am almost resigned to the pain without the surgery. The Iovera might help but it seems more people than not are not happy with it and it is only a temporary fix if it does help. My "good" knee is hurting too and I suspect it won't be long until I am on the strong pain meds. I sure hope they can fix you up. My doctor just blows it off saying that most people that continue to have a problem are the ones that don't do the rehab. I'm afraid I might be one of them!!!

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csr346 | @csr346 | Nov 20 3:16pm

I wish someone would come up with a “machine” or something that could detect pain. I get so annoyed when doctors just blow it off…and saying you need physical therapy. I’ve done it all. I did ALL the rehab after both surgeries. I even lost 30 pounds hoping it would help! It didn’t. (I mean I LOOK good, but still hurt like hell!😂😂). I wish my doctor could walk a mile (or a block!) in my shoes. It’s very annoying.

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hiprevisionwrong | @hiprevisionwrong | 4 days ago

Pure Castor Oil applied on skin 2x daily has definitely helped my nerve pain.

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kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | 1 day ago

Has anyone tried to contact the company that makes IOVERA

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1 reply
hemjem | @hemjem | 12 hours ago
In reply to @lindielulu "Are you still having effects from the Iovera since June? Oh dear, I was told 90..." + (show)
@lindielulu

Are you still having effects from the Iovera since June? Oh dear, I was told 90 days. I wish I had seen these posts before I had it. I was told there were no negative side effects, only that it might not be that effective. I guess there are some that it works for but I would never try it again.

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The 90 days is just an approx time-line for when the frozen nerves start to wake up. I am post-surgery exactly 3 months ago today. About 2/3 of my nerves have woke up. Still have pain & sensitivity. However, have been advised by surgeon & other TKR patients I can expect to have some degree of pain up to a year. So I have buckled up for the ride.

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1 reply
lindielulu | @lindielulu | 6 hours ago
In reply to @kobesnowy "Has anyone tried to contact the company that makes IOVERA" + (show)
@kobesnowy

Has anyone tried to contact the company that makes IOVERA

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I have and have not been able to get through to anyone. Their website is wonky. You try to ask something and you just go around in circles.

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lindielulu | @lindielulu | 6 hours ago
In reply to @hemjem "The 90 days is just an approx time-line for when the frozen nerves start to wake..." + (show)
@hemjem

The 90 days is just an approx time-line for when the frozen nerves start to wake up. I am post-surgery exactly 3 months ago today. About 2/3 of my nerves have woke up. Still have pain & sensitivity. However, have been advised by surgeon & other TKR patients I can expect to have some degree of pain up to a year. So I have buckled up for the ride.

Jump to this post

Thank you for responding. It has been a little over 2 months now and I can feel little pin pricks in the areas still frozen. Mostly it has lost effect but I didn't have the surgery and don't know if I will. I hate to think I have to go the rest of my life with this pain but I'm just not confident in the surgery process. I'm glad its over for you for the most part and yes, I was told a year also. Take care!

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1 reply
kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | 6 hours ago
In reply to @lindielulu "Thank you for responding. It has been a little over 2 months now and I can..." + (show)
@lindielulu

Thank you for responding. It has been a little over 2 months now and I can feel little pin pricks in the areas still frozen. Mostly it has lost effect but I didn't have the surgery and don't know if I will. I hate to think I have to go the rest of my life with this pain but I'm just not confident in the surgery process. I'm glad its over for you for the most part and yes, I was told a year also. Take care!

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I have not done the surgery because of this

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hemjem | @hemjem | 5 hours ago

I do hear you loud & clear. Being I don't know your age. Or if you are bone on bone & no cartiledge left which are the real determining factors on whether to have the surgery.
In my case, I was BOTH of those issues & extreme swelling & could barely walk. I am 72 yrs old & have always been very active. My other knee also needs surgery but may have to wait a few more months. Just 3 months exactly since surgery, & I am already so tired of the pain!

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