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

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@npt1903

I can't find DISCUSS so I will make my post here. I had both knee replacements about ten years ago. I have been dealing with lack of balance for about five years and it is getting worse. I also have some neuropathy and was told it could be from the knee replacements. I have been having some physical therapy which hasn't really changed anything. The top of my feet feel tight but I don't have much pain. I am not diabetic. The area around one knee has always felt somewhat numb to the touch since the surgery. The surgeon did x-ray the knee years ago and couldn't see any issue. When I walk I almost feel like I'm walking on ice. I use a cane. It seems that every time I see a different health care provider there is a different answer. Eventually a person becomes tired of answers that are not the same or definite and hate to waste more time of the same old thing. I have fallen so the lack of balance is the main issue before I have to deal with a major issue from a fall. I don't know who to contact next to try to get a real diagnosis instead of someone's impression of the cause of my problem.

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Replies to "I can't find DISCUSS so I will make my post here. I had both knee replacements..."

Hello @npt1903, welcome to Connect. I've recently had my right knee replaced and I have some balance problems. I'm not sure if I can blame it on the knee replacement as I've also have small fiber peripheral neuropathy. I only have numbness with the neuropathy but I think it contributes to the balance problems. I have to be careful when I first get up after sitting for awhile or when I first get up in the morning. I think physical therapy works if it's more focused on helping balance and not to increase the knee flexion and/or build strength.

Here's some information that may be helpful for improving your balance. I use a couple of the exercises and they seem to help me.

A Balance Exercise Program Appears to Improve Function for Patients With Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2879033/

Mayo Clinic -- Balance Exercises
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/balance-exercises/sls-20076853?s=1

Do you think your balance issue might not be related to your knee replacements?

If you would like get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic, you can find the contact information for the Minnesota, Arizona and Florida campuses here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.