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Moderator

Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Jul 14, 2017

Welcome to the Neuropathy group.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet other people who are dealing with neuropathy. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with neuropathy, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I’m Colleen, and I’m the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you’ll to be greeted by volunteer patient Mentor John (@johnbishop) and fellow members when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What concerns would you like to talk about?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

JK | @contentandwell | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @dabshire, welcome to Connect. I'm not sure any of us members can answer your question..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @dabshire, welcome to Connect. I'm not sure any of us members can answer your question other than share our own personal experience with surgeries or health problems. I think it's possible for nerve damage during a knee surgery or with many surgeries. Have you discussed it with your surgeon or doctor?

@contentandwell, @debbraw and @JustinMcClanahan may be able to share their experience with knee surgery. I had knee surgery on my right knee in the 70s to remove some torn cartilage and that knee is now bone on bone. I am scheduled to have a knee replacement done in a few weeks and was a little concerned about a nerve block being done on the knee since I already have small fiber peripheral neuropathy in my legs and would like not to make it worse.

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@dabshire @johnbishop I have had TKRs on both knees, and prior to that had meniscus surgery on both. I have never had a problem similar to your experience.
Since the stinging and numbness is in both feet I don't see how it could be related to surgery on one knee, unless your gait has altered in such a way that it is causing a foot problem. Frankly, though I think that's probably a stretch but it does seem odd that it started after the knee surgery.
I will be looking forward to hearing what your primary has to say about it.
JK

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1 reply
dabshire | @dabshire | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@dabshire @johnbishop I have had TKRs on both knees, and prior to that had meniscus surgery..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@dabshire @johnbishop I have had TKRs on both knees, and prior to that had meniscus surgery on both. I have never had a problem similar to your experience.
Since the stinging and numbness is in both feet I don't see how it could be related to surgery on one knee, unless your gait has altered in such a way that it is causing a foot problem. Frankly, though I think that's probably a stretch but it does seem odd that it started after the knee surgery.
I will be looking forward to hearing what your primary has to say about it.
JK

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I originally thought it came from Diclofenac gel because I had used it on both knees for awhile and when the burning and stinging started at first it was just the rt foot. I put some of it on the rt foot and within 30 mins it got worse. I really dont know I havent used it in 10 days. This is just so mind boggling and driving me insane. Will let you know what the Dr. says.

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grandmaR | @grandmar | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Aw shucks...@grandmar, thank you for the kind words. I think this is the type of hand..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Aw shucks...@grandmar, thank you for the kind words. I think this is the type of hand controls @steeldove has.
http://www.kempf-usa.com/

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@johnbishop
You are more than welcome. The truth is the truth.
And thanks for the attachment.
Ronnie

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margottaylor | @margottaylor | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @dabshire "I have a question that I cant find an answer to...I had knee surgery 4 wks..." + (show)
@dabshire

I have a question that I cant find an answer to...I had knee surgery 4 wks ago. I had a tear in the meniscus and cartlidge. 2 wks after the surgery I started having burning and stinging and numbness in both feet. It is more in the leg that had the surgery. Has anyone experienced this????

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I'm puzzled as I've been noticing that many of us with a form of Neuropathy have experienced it following a surgical procedure...back, knee, etc. Is there data that correlates the onset of Neuropathy with surgeries? John or Colleen...do you know? Thanks

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4 replies
dabshire | @dabshire | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @margottaylor "I'm puzzled as I've been noticing that many of us with a form of Neuropathy have..." + (show)
@margottaylor

I'm puzzled as I've been noticing that many of us with a form of Neuropathy have experienced it following a surgical procedure...back, knee, etc. Is there data that correlates the onset of Neuropathy with surgeries? John or Colleen...do you know? Thanks

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This is all new to me. I did not expect this to happen.

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jmjlove | @jmjlove | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @grandmar "@lois6524 I agree with you, Lois. If the pain or symptoms start right after surgery, what..." + (show)
@grandmar

@lois6524
I agree with you, Lois.
If the pain or symptoms start right after surgery, what are the chances it DID NOT COME FROM THE SURGERY?
The are so many nerves, muscles, veins, bones, etc., it has to be difficult even for the best, experienced surgeon.
Today, with medical malpractice suits, you are not going to get a doctor to admit to anything.
Our choice is to sue or find a way to either live with the results or find a 'cure.'
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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@grandmar....about surgery and neuropathy. The most likely cause of my trigeminal neuralgia was a neck disection to remove a salivary gland tumor. Tumor had to go. Doc was an artist sewing me up. But what went on during surgery is anyone's guess. But my doctor believes the ETN nicked the trigeminal nerve.

There are risks attached to any surgery, but it's no stretch to put blame on the surgery. Trigeminal neuralgia is no picnic. Can't say I regret the surgery, but surely regret the aftermath. 😥

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @margottaylor "I'm puzzled as I've been noticing that many of us with a form of Neuropathy have..." + (show)
@margottaylor

I'm puzzled as I've been noticing that many of us with a form of Neuropathy have experienced it following a surgical procedure...back, knee, etc. Is there data that correlates the onset of Neuropathy with surgeries? John or Colleen...do you know? Thanks

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@margottaylor I've never seen any data pointing to the likelyhood of surgery causing neuropathy. I have no medical training or background so can only speak for myself. Any surgery has risks and anytime nerves are involved I'm assuming there is a possibility of damage to the nerves. I believe the risk is probably very small but we have no way of knowing for sure. There are circumstances where the risk of surgery is greater which I'm guessing are related to your overall health going into the surgery. Here are a couple of articles that may give you some insight.

Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet
-- https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet

Obesity increases the risk of postoperative peripheral neuropathy after minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery.
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24401880

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geneseos | @geneseos | Mar 21, 2019

hi, I have sjogrens and small fiber neuropathy anyone else

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "@margottaylor I've never seen any data pointing to the likelyhood of surgery causing neuropathy. I have..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@margottaylor I've never seen any data pointing to the likelyhood of surgery causing neuropathy. I have no medical training or background so can only speak for myself. Any surgery has risks and anytime nerves are involved I'm assuming there is a possibility of damage to the nerves. I believe the risk is probably very small but we have no way of knowing for sure. There are circumstances where the risk of surgery is greater which I'm guessing are related to your overall health going into the surgery. Here are a couple of articles that may give you some insight.

Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet
-- https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet

Obesity increases the risk of postoperative peripheral neuropathy after minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery.
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24401880

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Good response, @johnbishop.
@margottaylor, surgery is not typically lists as a cause for neuropathy (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061) However, trauma or pressure on a nerve is a known possible cause.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 21, 2019
In reply to @geneseos "hi, I have sjogrens and small fiber neuropathy anyone else" + (show)
@geneseos

hi, I have sjogrens and small fiber neuropathy anyone else

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Hi @geneseos, welcome to Connect. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy but only have numbness and no pain. How about you? Do you have pain with your small fiber neuropathy?

There is another discussion you may be interested in joining in here:

> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Sjogrens
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sjogrens/

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