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

Had a total knee replacement 9 days ago, had some toes tingle as soon as operation completed, by nightfall bottom of foot 80% numb, Knee doing fine BUT bottom of the foot (heal is area worst area) shows No improvement in 9 days? If I am stuck with this for life I wish I never had the knee replaced! Surgeon said nerve disturbed and could take VERY long to correct (1cm correction per day, knee to foot distance) Wonder if anyone else had the EXACT same situation.

I was told to give it time 9 days isn't a long time and he takes awhile for nerves to come back. In my case my foot has been numb for 5+years and the believe such a tiny piece of a nerve was nicked. So small they cant see it.

5 years with a numb foot is a life changer, so sorry to hear this my friend.

My TKR was 13+ months ago. My foot was so numb and tingle (asleep Basicly) that it buckled when I tried to stand and hurt terribly! My Dr told me it was normal give it at least a year. Not satisfied I kept prosueing and 6 weeks later my primary said Not normal. Did an ABI test (a pressure test on legs) came back .4 other leg 1.6. Sent for an angiogram which detected a pinched Popliteal Artery (main artery that supplies blood to your lower leg). It was pretty obvious, my foot was cold and toes purple. After the artery was opened, warm foot pink toes!. But since it was 6 weeks between surgeries I have nerve, tissue, and cell damage which might come back or NEVER come back. Now told 3+ years to wait and see. All my TKR Dr told me I was lucky most people that this happens to loose their leg!
So get an ABI test done. Its simple and does not hurt. I just wish my Dr would of listened to me after my surgery instead of telling me it was normal. Nothing like that is normal.
I wish you the best of luck with your foot.

Good info, I trust doctors as far as I can throw them, My toes are pink and the foot is warm so flow looks ok. I am so happy you figured out your problem, and so disappointed it was not found early, makes one think about letting them touch you at all. The least a doctor can do for the money they charge is listen, my surgeon keeps pushing physical therapy, I tried to tell him I have my own gym at home and work out every day, been doing it since I was 12 and rode 15 miles a day on a recumbent bike every day until the operation. Don't forget the doctors (groups) up here own the therapy facilities so they do have a dog in the fight.
With my luck I would go to one and catch corona virus on top of a numb foot bottom and a knee that still hurts.

Would be proper to have the downside possibilities explained ya think? When I asked prior the operation the surgeon stated may have a clicking noise but that was it, HA HA, I may end up sorry I had it done now with this numbness of the foot bottom.

Hello
I have the very same problem. I woke up from surgery and had numbness on the bottom of my foot on the lateral side (baby toe side), in the arch area, and the total heel. When I walk if feels like there is a pad under my arch. I really don’t have pain but the feeling in the arch area is very annoying. Surgeon and PT techs have never heard of this. I’m 8 months post surgery and after visiting my surgeon March 16th 2020 I have been scheduled for a nerve study to try and determine nerve damage. I can only keep praying that my foot will be normal again. BTW I had a spinal block not general Anesthetic. What anesthetic did you have?

I too had a spinal block and they tried to do just a pain block for the knee but could not find the nerve. Knowing what I know now, it's because my surgeon pinched not only my popliteal artery, but my nerves for the leg as well. An ABI test found the pinched artery. My foot got better after artery surgery, but not 100%. I'd say 50%. I have had nerve testing done and yes I have damage. Was told could take up to 3 years to heal or it might never heal because of the pinched artery that blocked blood flow to my foot which was 60 days. It was my primary that ordered the ABI and listened to me that purple toes and cold foot was not normal. She saved my leg. My TKR surgeon said I was lucky I didn't lose my leg. He was the one who said it was normal to have a numb tingly foot after TKR. It's not normal! I did find a chiropractor in Fargo, ND who said he can help the neurothapy in my foot. But due to pandemic, I've put it on hold for now anyway. Will post when I start those treatments. Good luck on the nerve testing. They kept telling me it was so painful!. It wasn't bad at all!.

To 708: I also had spinal block also, I am very sad for both of us as it sounds identical. Wish I never had the operation now. Let me know of your outcome please.

To 708: I also had the spinal block also, I am very sad for both of us as it sounds identical. Wish I never had the operation now. Let me know of your outcome please. Note: my surgeon stated it could take a very long time for nerve correction, I was told by a friend (therapist) that she has seen this many times and to ice it, said it seems to happen to people who have no fat in their legs (thin people) as the swelling presses on the nerves far more.I have zero leg fat, who knows? I am icing, heating, deep tissue massaging with a kneading fingers machine, even using a TENS machine to jump start the nerve into working faster. Nothing ventured nothing gained. It's been two weeks and the the knee pain at night assures I get about two to three hours sleep at the most, I used to like hitting the sack, not anymore.