Damage from Iovera Nerve block prior to TKR

One thing I forgot to mention is that the Iovera didn't numb the areas it should have so I would talk to the doctor about that. My knee was not numbed at all and where I was having the pain was not numbed. The outside of my thigh and down my shin was numbed, I don't think it would have helped with the surgery at all. My pain is in the kneecap and the inside of my knee (not sure of the technical term) and the Iovera was useless for the pain. But, if you know a lot of people that it helped, I guess you just have to weigh the odds. I too am terrified of the surgery but I was very active and really want my quality of life back. I sure wish you a good experience if/when you decide to have it and I hope you are a successful Iovera eperience too.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the Iovera didn't numb the areas it should have so I would talk to the doctor about that. My knee was not numbed at all and where I was having the pain was not numbed. The outside of my thigh and down my shin was numbed, I don't think it would have helped with the surgery at all. My pain is in the kneecap and the inside of my knee (not sure of the technical term) and the Iovera was useless for the pain. But, if you know a lot of people that it helped, I guess you just have to weigh the odds. I too am terrified of the surgery but I was very active and really want my quality of life back. I sure wish you a good experience if/when you decide to have it and I hope you are a successful Iovera eperience too.

This is such excellent advice!
I did try to do this with 3 other doctors, and ended up getting labeled in their notes as "extremely anxious." Never move from one doc to another in the same corporation because they talk among themselves and have already written you off if you raise questions or call them out for mistreatment, which I did. This may happen to older women more than men cause these specialists are mostly male and totally arrogant toward women. One of them told me he didn't think I should know what the procedure involved. I insisted and he answered questions; but then he got even in the procedure. Every reassurance he had given me in the earlier appointment was a lie. He hurt me repeatedly and never stopped even though I was yelling in pain. I tried to move to get away from him and discovered he had paralyzed me with some drug. From now on I will have a witness present with power of attorney for health care who can call a halt to a bad procedure if needed because I wasn't able to talk in the bad one.

I am due for a second Iovera treatment two weeks prior to my September 23 right knee replacement. The first treatment was in late April and produced the usual numbness, but otherwise I had full functionality. I have not experienced any “razor blade” pain, nor any pain for that matter, just the usual numbness, has not bothered me the least. Fingers crossed, I expect the same post surgery. Will return to this forum after my surgery.
SamE

I also had the treatment with TKR, and experienced terrible nerve pain and knife like pain following the procedure. I went back to my surgeon, who approved the block procedure but was not the doc that administered it. My surgeon prescribed a steroid treatment after explaining it was neuritis, inflamed nerves as a result of the block. It helped immensely, but as soon as I completed the coarse of steroids, it returned, although not as intense. I’ve since had a second course with same response. I am 4 months out and have exchanged one pain pre op, to this knife like pain post op. I would never have done this had I been advised of this possibility and I did not find anything about this side effect when I did my research. My surgeon feels it will improve as the block wears off and the healing is complete that could take up to 12 months. I am still experiencing a vice grip numbing sensation mixed with knife like pain through out my knee with movement. I would never do this again and praying it will resolve.

I had Iovera at the end of October last year and TKR revision at the beginning of November. I am still in more pain than I was before the TKR. I have no faith in my surgeon or his staff. Got a 2nd opinion and there’s nothing that surgeon can do and has recommended neurology consult. 9 months is getting wearing. If anyone has something else to offer as a recourse I’d love to hear it.

I had total knee replacement about 8 years ago. Multiple problems. Had injection done just before surgery to help with post op pain. Immediately after surgery, I woke up rubbing my upper thigh as that was where the pain was (not the knee). I could not lift my leg at all for 3 months and had severe pain in my upper thigh. I was scared I would never have movement in that leg again. Had muscle atrophy, and took almost a year for pain to go away and to regain movement in my leg. To boot, I now have leg discrepancy height, due to the surgery which has caused my back to shift (causing lower back pain) and now have torn 4 ligaments/tears in my hip/buttocks ( causing severe pain in my hip) due to added pressure and strain on this part of the body. Knee Implant was the wrong one and I need to get it replaced. Scared to go through that all again but need to do something about my knee because I can hardly walk now due to back and hip pain from strain and ligament tears. Don't trust 90% doctors most just want to make money and who is good as a surgen? Any suggestions of a good knee replacement doctor?

I also had the Iovera treatment and did not have the TKR. I had the same terrible pain from the injection the day after and many days since. It has been almost a year and I am close to normal, still some numbness and soreness to the touch but daily activity is fine. I'm writing this hoping to encourage those that had the treatment. I am supposed to have TKR in September, 2025 but not too confident about that. I am trying to let go and let God.