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

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Neurologist told me it could take as long as 10 years to never for the numbness to leave, he said the average was 11 months. That was 3 weeks ago so it's current info. I would not give up hope, time just may correct it little by little.

I had TKR 9 weeks ago and have intermittent tingling and sometimes numbness mainly when I sit down for more than 20 minutes. I’ve cut back on gabapentin to nights only as opposed to twice a day. I’m still getting PT On my hip, leg and glutes which is MILDLY helping but hasn’t fixed it. Does anyone have any encouraging stories about this tingling going away completely ? How long it took or treatment or medication that helped?

My surgeon (who is rated tops around NJ) said 4 months for recovery (to be active), he was correct in my case. Others have said for totally complete repair one year. My TKR knee is out performing the Knee not done by far and it's been about 8 months now. I took no medication and provided my own extensive PT. My heel is numb like it was from day one, tingling and warmth has stopped. If your numbness is only sometimes, I believe that is great info! and an indication you will not have this forever like some do. 9 weeks is nothing after a TKR, I had big time knee pain 9 weeks after, so your doing fine. Also you are younger then I am and should heal easier.

Thank you Navyqas, that gives me a lot of hope and reminds me that I am impatient. 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I am 2 years post op and I gave the foot nuropathy and also feels like fluid on my knee

Hello @carolynstorer, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear that the knee is still not doing well 2 years after your replacement surgery. Fluid on the knee is not normal. Here's some information on the complication.

"Joint fluid after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has various causes, and the specific cause must be identified. Even if joint fluid occurs in rheumatoid arthrosis (RA) patients after TKA, we have to distinguish other causes, such as infection, excluding an increase in RA activity." - Diagnosis and Treatment of Joint Fluid Accumulation After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthrosis Patients: A Report of Four Patients: https://www.journalmc.org/index.php/JMC/article/view/2429/1792

Have you talked to your surgeon or care team about the fluid on your knee?

My TKR in both knees was in Aug & Oct of 2015. My 1st surgeon had a triple bypass so the office referred me to a different surgeon. I have had a long journey getting my knees to be pretty good, not perfect but I exercise, walk & do yoga daily. A few years ago my feet but mostly the left foot started having numbness, tingling & pain. I don’t want the side effects of meds for neuropathy or pain. My primary doc & I have decided that as long as I can feel if I step on something, etc. I will do natural things. I have tried acupuncture, it helped a bit. I do a yoga pose called Legs up the wall every morning, I think it helps. I try to massage my feet & toes everyday also. I hope some of this might help someone. The neuropathy doesn't stop me from living a full & happy life. Thanks for all the sharing.

Hello @sunnybuns1, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience and what you found has helped your neuropathy. @artscaping also has recommended the legs up the wall yoga. I do massage my feet daily at night and put lotion on them to keep the skin hydrated. I think it helps because peripheral nerves are near the skin and the healthier the skin the better chance for the nerves to heal. You might also find the following discussions helpful:

- Neuropathy & Exercise: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-exercise/
- Supplement recommendations: What can help neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplement-recommendations-can-help/

Can you share a little more about how your neuropathy was diagnosed?

Hi can you tell me if the pain in y our foot ever went away? My husband had knee replacement 10 weeks ago and he has had constant foot pain since the time he woke up. His is knee gives him no pain and he has normal range of motion again in his knee.

<p><strong>Foot pain after TKR</strong></p><p>My husband had tkr Dec 1,2020. When he woke up from surgery he started complainng that his foot felt like pins and needles were sticking him. The Surgeon said it would go away, but as of today the foot pain is unbearable for him and has made him very depressed. He said he doesnt know how much longer he can stand the pain. The surgeon finally sent him for an MRI of his spine and said he has spinal stenosis and that is the cause for his foot pain and referrerd him to a pain management Dr. The pain is only in his foot that he had the tkr on and he never had foot pain until he woke up from surgery. I'm very skeptical that this is not releated to the TKR....</p>