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Peripheral Neuropathy after total knee replacement

Posted by swarring16 @swarring16, 6 days ago

Has anyone here developed neuropathy after knee replacement? I think my husband has this. His surgeon and regular doctor have said he is beyond him. I see the difference in him when he has pain. He is getting to the point where I am scared for him mentally.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 4 days ago
In reply to @islandfrog "I tend to agree that swelling is probably a contributing factor. I was on blood thinners..." + (show)
@islandfrog

I tend to agree that swelling is probably a contributing factor. I was on blood thinners for 4 weeks but no ice or elevation. I have 3 months of PT and I asked about elevation and they said its not really important.

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After my knee replacement surgery follow up about a month after the surgery I still had some swelling and pain. My surgeon was pretty adamant that I wasn't doing enough icing and especially not elevating my leg enough during the day, basically telling me if I wasn't doing anything (walking, exercising, etc.), I needed to have my leg elevated to help with the recovery.

Here's some information on the topic:
-- Knee Replacement: Recovery and Outlook
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8512-knee-replacement#recovery-and-outlook
There are also a few discussions and comments from others on icing and elevating the leg following a knee replacement - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=elevating+legs+and+TKR.

REPLY
lvgal | @lvgal | 4 days ago
In reply to @dclark8 "Hi, I would just like to add my personal experience in regard to your post surgery..." + (show)
@dclark8

Hi, I would just like to add my personal experience in regard to your post surgery Neuropathy. I had bilateral knee replacement nine years ago. (both knees replaced at the same time) I only started to experience Neuropathy about two years ago. Only slightly at first, but in the past year it has progressed rapidly. I am among the fortunate ones, I guess, who experience no pain with my neuropathy. Numbness only.

So, to your concern that Post operative surgery, knee replacements, contribute to Neuropathy, I would have to interject that that may not be the case. At least for me, considering eight years pasted post knee replacement surgery before I experience neuropathy. That said, everyone is different. Many factors come to play. I am now 74 years old and that may or may not play a factor. Just wanted to put my two cents in.

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I have had some form of ideopathic neuropathy in both feet/legs for the past 25 years. No pain, but numness, heaviness and loss of balance. I had both knees replaced ( one 12 years ago, the latter 10 years ago) . I am not certain they are related for that reason. My pain, if you call it pain is the restlessness of legs due to the numbness interfering with my sleep. Now my hands are involved in the numbness causing me to drop things constantly. I am 85, so I just figure its age related as well. Neurologists have no answers. I am trying the "earth" shoes that allow toes to spread as well as being lighter and they seem to at least accomodate the swelling I get in the late afternoons. I have tried all sorts of useless light therapy, vibration therapy, drugs (gabapentin) that made balance issues worse, There are my 2 cents as well.

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1 reply
carlrock | @carlrock | 4 days ago

I have and it is so bad that I can’t take it anymore. I have been to so many doctors in California that I’ve have run out. Wish Mayo was closer. And covered. Vibrating feeling from waste to feet and numbness and burning pain. They keep throwing pills at me and sending me home. Emergency room 5 times. Knees replaced and revised. Started after revision left side.

REPLY
dclark8 | @dclark8 | 3 days ago
In reply to @lvgal "I have had some form of ideopathic neuropathy in both feet/legs for the past 25 years...." + (show)
@lvgal

I have had some form of ideopathic neuropathy in both feet/legs for the past 25 years. No pain, but numness, heaviness and loss of balance. I had both knees replaced ( one 12 years ago, the latter 10 years ago) . I am not certain they are related for that reason. My pain, if you call it pain is the restlessness of legs due to the numbness interfering with my sleep. Now my hands are involved in the numbness causing me to drop things constantly. I am 85, so I just figure its age related as well. Neurologists have no answers. I am trying the "earth" shoes that allow toes to spread as well as being lighter and they seem to at least accomodate the swelling I get in the late afternoons. I have tried all sorts of useless light therapy, vibration therapy, drugs (gabapentin) that made balance issues worse, There are my 2 cents as well.

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Ivgal,
Thank you for your response. I really have learned a lot on the "Mayo clinic connect". I have tried only a few of the so-called remedies guaranteeing success only to find out they are just charlatans intent, only in getting into my wallet. Fortunately, I haven't fallen victim to their shenanigans but a few times. It's my opinion that if for no other reason this Clinic is good to reveal these deceivers for what they are. It's good to have your input as we both seem to be in the same "boat" so to speak. That is, numbness with no pain. For that I feel blessed because I have friends who are experiencing excruciating pain with their neuropathy. I to have balance issues, and the start of slight numbness in my finger tips. Not dropping things yet. I will check into the Earth shoes you mentioned, but I will stay away from the Therapy drugs that from all accounts have no real lasting help.

I am sure there are many who have spent literally thousands of dollars on gimmicks that have no chance of helping our situation. My neurologist says there is no cure for neuropathy, but hope reigns eternal. I'm sure that when and if a real cure is developed, it will be front page news, and we will no longer have to listen to a five minute speech that turns into 45 minutes on how some doctor has found the solution for Neuropathy. All lies.

I will tell you about a routine that I have taken upon myself, which may or may not have any long-term help but at least it makes me feel like I'm making an effort.

Before I go to bed each night, and when I wake up in the morning, I take an "eating" fork and vigorously scraped the bottom of my feet the tops of my feet, the toes, up the sides of my ankles halfway to my knees. That is where the numbness stops. From what I have read stimulating those nerves to free up the plaque blocking the nerves is a promising exercise. You may want to try it yourself.

Again, thank you for your input.

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artsyseven | @artsyseven | 2 days ago

I have neuropathy in both feet and it has been 5 years since my knee replacement. The nerve to the outside of the knee must have been cut. I was only told it was common when that area of my leg was numb. The numbness has lessened but is still a little bit there. 3 years post knee replacement I was diagnosed with PN in my feet. I take Tegretol and Gabapentin for Trigeminal Neuralgia and I think it probably helps in my feet.

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