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Foot neuropathy (numbness and pain) after total knee replacement (TKR)

Posted by norby @norby, Nov 26, 2018

I had a right total knee replacement 10 weeks ago and came out of surgery with numbness and intermittent pain on the bottom of my right foot. However, I do have good motor function in that foot. The knee has been healing and with PT, movement is on track, but the foot is a major challenge. The foot pain at times is worse than any from the knee. I have been able to generally manage the foot pain with gabapentin. My surgeon believes this may resolve in time but may take from 6-12 months. However there is a possibility that it will never go away. Has anyone else experienced foot neuropathy following knee replacement? If so, what was your experience with it?

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JK | @contentandwell | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @gator1965 "Yes it is a formal written warning from my employer. i have had 4 lots of..." + (show)
@gator1965

Yes it is a formal written warning from my employer. i have had 4 lots of surgery since November 2017.My sickness prior to this was no days off sick.
Yes I had arthroscopic arthrolysis and debridment of left knee at the end of September. It has improved my flexion from 70 degrees to 96.
I still have significant discomfort

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@gator1965 That's a lot of pressure to be under.
Your flexion is still not optimal of course, they generally want it to be at least 120°. I think mine is at around 112° now, but as I said, I do not have any discomfort. The other knee that was done about 6 years ago has slightly better flex but when I do much walking that one does hurt. I used a different surgeon and got a different knee for that one.
Does your doctor have any idea what is causing the discomfort? I would want to know that. I had a friend who went two years with pain before she found a highly rated orthopedic surgeon, and he found the problem and fixed it. I hope you will find a surgeon who can do the same for you.
JK

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2 replies
gator1965 | @gator1965 | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@gator1965 That's a lot of pressure to be under. Your flexion is still not optimal of..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@gator1965 That's a lot of pressure to be under.
Your flexion is still not optimal of course, they generally want it to be at least 120°. I think mine is at around 112° now, but as I said, I do not have any discomfort. The other knee that was done about 6 years ago has slightly better flex but when I do much walking that one does hurt. I used a different surgeon and got a different knee for that one.
Does your doctor have any idea what is causing the discomfort? I would want to know that. I had a friend who went two years with pain before she found a highly rated orthopedic surgeon, and he found the problem and fixed it. I hope you will find a surgeon who can do the same for you.
JK

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I am due to see my surgeon on Thursday evening, so I will discuss my pain issues, he will say that there is nothing wrong with the replacement ! The xrays look perfect..i agree they do. But something is not right.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Dec 3, 2018
In reply to @gator1965 "I am due to see my surgeon on Thursday evening, so I will discuss my pain..." + (show)
@gator1965

I am due to see my surgeon on Thursday evening, so I will discuss my pain issues, he will say that there is nothing wrong with the replacement ! The xrays look perfect..i agree they do. But something is not right.

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@gator1965 Something is definitely not right for you to be in so much pain for so long. If I recall correctly, the cause of the problem the woman I knew who had pain for two years was that it was from something in the extensions being too long. I really do not remember clearly but I know it was something like that. She did some research and found a top orthopedic surgeon and he was able to fix it. The new surgeon took the knee replacement out and put a whole new one in and she was fine.
JK

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3 replies
gator1965 | @gator1965 | Dec 10, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@gator1965 Something is definitely not right for you to be in so much pain for so..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@gator1965 Something is definitely not right for you to be in so much pain for so long. If I recall correctly, the cause of the problem the woman I knew who had pain for two years was that it was from something in the extensions being too long. I really do not remember clearly but I know it was something like that. She did some research and found a top orthopedic surgeon and he was able to fix it. The new surgeon took the knee replacement out and put a whole new one in and she was fine.
JK

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Well the surgeon discharged me, he was happy with the flexion being between 96 to 100 degrees. My pain he says is neuropathic, and will take a while to resolve.

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Dec 10, 2018
In reply to @gator1965 "Well the surgeon discharged me, he was happy with the flexion being between 96 to 100..." + (show)
@gator1965

Well the surgeon discharged me, he was happy with the flexion being between 96 to 100 degrees. My pain he says is neuropathic, and will take a while to resolve.

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@gator1965 I am glad that the surgeon is happy with your flexion, and hope he is right, that the pain will resolve in a time -- hopefully not too much time. Did he mention how long that should take? That would give you an idea of when you should get in touch with him again if you are still in pain. Are there any exercises you can to help the pain?
JK

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1 reply
gator1965 | @gator1965 | Dec 10, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@gator1965 I am glad that the surgeon is happy with your flexion, and hope he is..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@gator1965 I am glad that the surgeon is happy with your flexion, and hope he is right, that the pain will resolve in a time -- hopefully not too much time. Did he mention how long that should take? That would give you an idea of when you should get in touch with him again if you are still in pain. Are there any exercises you can to help the pain?
JK

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No time was mentioned. Just need to continue with the pain medication

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JK | @contentandwell | Dec 10, 2018
In reply to @gator1965 "No time was mentioned. Just need to continue with the pain medication" + (show)
@gator1965

No time was mentioned. Just need to continue with the pain medication

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@gator1965 well, if it continues beyond about 6 months -- or even less -- I would call again to have them check things out. Or, you could call and speak to his nurse, or send a message on the portal if there is one, and ask how long it should take. I hate that you are in pain for so long.
JK

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1 reply
gator1965 | @gator1965 | Dec 10, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@gator1965 well, if it continues beyond about 6 months -- or even less -- I would..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@gator1965 well, if it continues beyond about 6 months -- or even less -- I would call again to have them check things out. Or, you could call and speak to his nurse, or send a message on the portal if there is one, and ask how long it should take. I hate that you are in pain for so long.
JK

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Thanks. I am a nurse myself, I might just ask for a referral to the pain team at work to see whether they can offer any advice.

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mel61913 | @mel61913 | Feb 23, 2019

Hello... Well I had a full knee replacement January 14 of this year and woke up and couldn't feel my left foot... And it still this way.... The numbness tingling.... I just don't know what to do anymore and driving me crazy.... I'm a right amputee and the way to my pelvis.... And it's a little more difficult for me..... Do anyone have any suggestions for me.... Greatly appreciate

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2 replies
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Feb 23, 2019
In reply to @mel61913 "Hello... Well I had a full knee replacement January 14 of this year and woke up..." + (show)
@mel61913

Hello... Well I had a full knee replacement January 14 of this year and woke up and couldn't feel my left foot... And it still this way.... The numbness tingling.... I just don't know what to do anymore and driving me crazy.... I'm a right amputee and the way to my pelvis.... And it's a little more difficult for me..... Do anyone have any suggestions for me.... Greatly appreciate

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Hi @mel61913 - First, welcome to Connect. I'm so glad you posted. It must be terribly scary to have that loss of feeling in your foot. I had a TKR on 1/29 of this year. I have some numbness around the knee, but nothing like what you are experiencing. At this point, I'm sure you have gone back for at least one follow up visit. What does your doctor say regarding the loss of sensation? Without feeling in your foot, can you bear weight on it? I'm really feeling for you and hoping maybe others in the group may have more insight than I do.

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