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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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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 31, 2019
In reply to @npt1903 "I can't find DISCUSS so I will make my post here. I had both knee replacements..." + (show)
@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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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.

REPLY
1 reply
sandie2749 | @sandie2749 | Jun 2, 2019

I am two weeks post operative total knee replacement in my right knee and I to have the issue with my foot having neuropathy. I really don’t know what to do for It However physical therapy and the PA say that this happens. You are not alone

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sandie2749 | @sandie2749 | Jun 2, 2019

I just had a knee replacement and it’s been 2weeks I guess by reading everybody’s comments that my foot is going to be tingling and numb for a while. I have no other issues as of now except that my foot fell asleep and won’t wake up which I can walk on however the sensitivity of the pins And needles is aggravating. It’s very interesting reading everybody’s post operative rehab and thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 2, 2019
In reply to @sandie2749 "I just had a knee replacement and it’s been 2weeks I guess by reading everybody’s comments..." + (show)
@sandie2749

I just had a knee replacement and it’s been 2weeks I guess by reading everybody’s comments that my foot is going to be tingling and numb for a while. I have no other issues as of now except that my foot fell asleep and won’t wake up which I can walk on however the sensitivity of the pins And needles is aggravating. It’s very interesting reading everybody’s post operative rehab and thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one

Jump to this post

Hi @sandie2749, welcome to Connect. I'm 2 months post op for a total knee replacement of my right knee. I had neuropathy before I started and also lymphedema for which I have to wear compression socks. The swelling prevented me from putting the compression socks on until a few weeks ago which made the swelling worse for me. I don't think I helped myself because I didn't elevate my leg and ice it as much as I should have when I got home. I didn't have any problems with the exercises they sent me home with.

Do you still have any swelling in your leg?

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1 reply
npt1903 | @npt1903 | Jun 2, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @npt1903, welcome to Connect. I've recently had my right knee replaced and I have some..." + (show)
@johnbishop

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.

Jump to this post

I have never really received a definitive reason for my balance issue. I've been told that I have neuropathy but only suggestions as to the reason--maybe from knee surgery, one lumbar lamenectomy, or the scoliosis causing all my pain. I hate to have the surgery for scoliosis as it involves rods, pins and screws and I don't know if my back pain issues will go away or if the neuropathy will go away. I hate to try one thing after another just to eliminate possible causes. I would just like to deal with the reason for my balance issue because of the constant possibility of falling. If it is neuropathy causing it, I will most likely always have that to deal with. Too many unanswered questions. I use Percocet for the back pain and use a cane for the balance problem--neither of which is dealing with the cause.

REPLY
1 reply
sandie2749 | @sandie2749 | Jun 2, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @sandie2749, welcome to Connect. I'm 2 months post op for a total knee replacement of..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @sandie2749, welcome to Connect. I'm 2 months post op for a total knee replacement of my right knee. I had neuropathy before I started and also lymphedema for which I have to wear compression socks. The swelling prevented me from putting the compression socks on until a few weeks ago which made the swelling worse for me. I don't think I helped myself because I didn't elevate my leg and ice it as much as I should have when I got home. I didn't have any problems with the exercises they sent me home with.

Do you still have any swelling in your leg?

Jump to this post

Thanx nice to her from you

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 2, 2019
In reply to @npt1903 "I have never really received a definitive reason for my balance issue. I've been told that..." + (show)
@npt1903

I have never really received a definitive reason for my balance issue. I've been told that I have neuropathy but only suggestions as to the reason--maybe from knee surgery, one lumbar lamenectomy, or the scoliosis causing all my pain. I hate to have the surgery for scoliosis as it involves rods, pins and screws and I don't know if my back pain issues will go away or if the neuropathy will go away. I hate to try one thing after another just to eliminate possible causes. I would just like to deal with the reason for my balance issue because of the constant possibility of falling. If it is neuropathy causing it, I will most likely always have that to deal with. Too many unanswered questions. I use Percocet for the back pain and use a cane for the balance problem--neither of which is dealing with the cause.

Jump to this post

@npt1903, I can understand not wanting the surgery for scoliosis or any surgery for that matter. It might help to read through the following discussions and weigh the benefits against any possible risks. Actually that would be a good discussion with your doctor or surgeon.

> Groups > Spine Health > Scoliosis - Introduce yourself and meet others
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scoliosis-introduce-yourself/

> Groups > Spine Health > Searching for Adults living with scoliosis, thoracic stenosis
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/searching-for-adults-living-with-scoliosis-thoracic-stenosis/

REPLY
crazz | @crazz | Jun 2, 2019
In reply to @sandie2749 "I just had a knee replacement and it’s been 2weeks I guess by reading everybody’s comments..." + (show)
@sandie2749

I just had a knee replacement and it’s been 2weeks I guess by reading everybody’s comments that my foot is going to be tingling and numb for a while. I have no other issues as of now except that my foot fell asleep and won’t wake up which I can walk on however the sensitivity of the pins And needles is aggravating. It’s very interesting reading everybody’s post operative rehab and thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one

Jump to this post

Sorry your having pins and needles in your foot. But I am almost 5 months out and the severe nerve pain I had in my right foot after right TKA has just recently turned to pins and needles rather than pain. So hopefully your closer to recovery than you know. Hope your recovery is smooth and the nerve or foot pain heals quickly.

REPLY
sandie2749 | @sandie2749 | Jun 11, 2019

I just had my knee surgery three weeks ago I also have neuropathy on my right foot from the surgery. My doctor also tells me that it will take up to a year to get it back, it is the worst feeling because it just tingles all the time. Hopefully it goes away sooner than they say, keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing. Thanks

REPLY
loriaakre | @loriaakre | Jun 11, 2019
In reply to @sandie2749 "I just had a knee replacement and it’s been 2weeks I guess by reading everybody’s comments..." + (show)
@sandie2749

I just had a knee replacement and it’s been 2weeks I guess by reading everybody’s comments that my foot is going to be tingling and numb for a while. I have no other issues as of now except that my foot fell asleep and won’t wake up which I can walk on however the sensitivity of the pins And needles is aggravating. It’s very interesting reading everybody’s post operative rehab and thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one

Jump to this post

Gabapentin help w my foot neuropathy but my was caused by the popliteal artery being pinched day so g no blood flow to my lower leg and foot. Foot was also cold and toes were purple. They did an ABI test which showed leg pressure was bad in the TKR lower leg. I had popliteal artery surgery which found the artery was totally pinched off. Once fixed the tingly/numb foot was better but not totally gone. Was told I have tissue and cell damage from no blood flow for 60 days along with nerve damage. Told nerves could be up to a year to heal.

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