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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sengelstad | @sengelstad | May 20 12:41pm

In reply to @jmos "I had Iovera treatment and have experienced similar problems . If you receive durther data please..." + (show)

Previous mild cramps (I.e. feet, hands, rib cage, neck, jaw, chest) became more pronounced after the iovera treatment. Quite debilitating. Any connection?

mssjg44 | @mssjg44 | May 30 4:54pm

I had a TKR in Jan 2024, constant pain after and had a scope for scar damage in July 2024. Then had partial revision in Nov of 2024. Still battling constant pain of mixed types. But I definitely have the pain your experiencing 18 month later. I’m working with a pain specialist and the ortho. I whole heartedly believe the Iovera was the root issue of much of my nerve pain.

kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | May 31 8:06am

June 28 will be a year since IOVERA

Pain is exhausting

N ver had the knee done

lindielulu | @lindielulu | May 31 1:33pm

In reply to @kobesnowy "June 28 will be a year since IOVERA Pain is exhausting N ver had the knee..." + (show)

It has been 9 months since Iovera for me and I am almost back to normal with the numbness but you're right, I can't imagine the pain along with TKR pain and I too decided not to have the surgery. Doc says no cartilage at all but I just can't bring myself to do it with all the things that could go wrong.

kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | May 31 2:04pm

In reply to @lindielulu "It has been 9 months since Iovera for me and I am almost back to normal..." + (show)

I canceled the knee two times and the last time I canceled was because it turns out that my right shoulder needs to be replaced and to add to it I have frozen shoulder so I can’t use my arm
There’s no way I could push myself after having knee surgery

The fact that I’m it scares the living heck out of me, but in all honesty, it’s gotten worse

It’s gotten worse since I had four shots with hopes that that might help but the shots made it even worse

I’m guinea pigs

genie15 | @genie15 | May 31 2:32pm

I am 10 months out from the replacement and still have some numbness. It's normal. It may or may not come back. I am grateful that you posted about the cryoneurolysis procedure. I couldn't get it in time before my knee surgery and had wanted to try it. Yours is a cautionary tale. Also, in reaction to coffecup's comment, my surgeon is not only unconcerned but totally absent from the recovery process. The mechanical appliance works, but the whole leg is a mess of chronic pain and swelling. The surgeon is supposed to "manage" the recovery and "collaborate" with the physical therapist to "individualize" the therapy. HAH! Reality is the complete opposite. Are all ortho surgeons so indifferent to their patients' recovery and pain? I am so discouraged that at this point I think the whole replacement was a huge mistake.

lindielulu | @lindielulu | 6 days ago

In reply to @genie15 "I am 10 months out from the replacement and still have some numbness. It's normal. It..." + (show)

I do believe that is the standard now, at least for knee replacement. After surgery, it is turned over to the doctor's staff. If I ever get the nerve to have the surgery, I will go into it knowing that the doctor will be unavailable unless I need another TKR. A PT said that 1 in 5 will still have pain after TKR, but my surgeon says it takes at least a year to heal so maybe the pain will eventually go away, I pray that it does.

rlh1002 | @rlh1002 | 6 days ago

I would not recommend Iovera for any reason, and I wish that I had not had the procedure done 3 weeks prior to my RTKR. The pain from the actual knee surgery was minor and manageable compared to the debilitating pain with no treatment options as the nerves are regenerating the length of my leg. Anything that touches it sends waves of pain through my body (clothing, bedding, water, even hands). Medical opinions: "this could take months to a year."
The glossy brochures and professional recommendations didn't tell the whole story, at least for me. Never again.

kobesnowy | @kobesnowy | 5 days ago

In reply to @rlh1002 "I would not recommend Iovera for any reason, and I wish that I had not had..." + (show)

The PA said after hitting my nerves, it would take three months but it’s gonna be a year June 28, so it’s a bunch of baloney

lindielulu | @lindielulu | 5 days ago

In reply to @rlh1002 "I would not recommend Iovera for any reason, and I wish that I had not had..." + (show)

You are so right and the actual Iovera web page offers no help even though they have a "contact us" option. They do not answer. I am getting over my treatment but it was rough for a few months, could not stand a sheet touching it. Can't speak to the TKR, as I cancelled it but could not imagine the pain from both. I would never recommend it.