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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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Faithwalker007 (Renee) | @faithwalker007 | Feb 19, 2021
In reply to @navyqas "Got the same line from my surgeon, it's a back thing, it's not his doing!, and..." + (show)
@navyqas

Got the same line from my surgeon, it's a back thing, it's not his doing!, and it will go away, 13 months later it's exactly still the same. Funny it came the same day I had TKR. What else can you expect? them admitting to screwing you over for life? Note: Hard to find a doctor to say a bad word against another. My neurologist would not either.

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Why are they do freaked out? It says that the TKR can cause CRPS right there in the release form we all signed! What they don’t know what they do can cause this thing? Dumb.

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loriaakre | @loriaakre | Feb 19, 2021
In reply to @navyqas "Got the same line from my surgeon, it's a back thing, it's not his doing!, and..." + (show)
@navyqas

Got the same line from my surgeon, it's a back thing, it's not his doing!, and it will go away, 13 months later it's exactly still the same. Funny it came the same day I had TKR. What else can you expect? them admitting to screwing you over for life? Note: Hard to find a doctor to say a bad word against another. My neurologist would not either.

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It doesn’t help when you knee surgeon doesn’t put anywhere in his notes from your office visits with him that you have a numb tingly cold foot with purple toes. 24 months out, no change. Good luck.

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Erika | @erikas | Feb 22, 2021
In reply to @tigger2648 "I had a right total knee replacement in Sept. 2019 and also came out of surgery..." + (show)
@tigger2648

I had a right total knee replacement in Sept. 2019 and also came out of surgery with numbness and tingling/pain on my right foot. It is now17 months later and I still have it. I just went to a neurologist to see if we can figure the cause for sure. She already seems to think my back is the problem rather than nerve damage but, that remains to be seen. My Orthopedic surgeon also told me that the neuropathy would likely be gone within a year. That didn't happen for me. Trying to find further information on the web when I saw your comment.

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@tigger2648 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad you found us. Sorry to hear you are still having tingling and pain 17 months later.

May I ask, did you have a chance to take a look past comments and was anything helpful?

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mrobbinz | @mrobbinz | Feb 23, 2021

I'm dealing with the same thing--I woke up from surgery numbness in my foot on the side that the surgery happened, plus limited movement in my big toe and excruciating lower back pain that I had to beg for a hot compress for. At my post op, the doc just said, "oh that's unusual" and said he'd see how it was at the 30 day. At that appointment the numbness and lack of movement wasn't any better, and they tried to blame it on my chemo 2 years prior. They called in the spine specialist and did an MRI, and then did a spinal steriod injection that made the problem with my foot worse, and inflamed the back issues that were getting better. I finally begged her to do the EMG; but they say everything is firing normally. I'm now being referred to an actual neurologist. I hope they figure something out because it's affecting my balance and my sleep. My oncologist prescribed gabapentin which helps with the cramping, but still can't feel my foot.
No one warned me this was even a possibility, and the orthopedic doctor still claims it is not his fault and was not caused by the surgery. The pain I'm dealing with is even worse than the pain prior to surgery. If anyone knows a good malpractice lawyer I'm taking referrals!

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1 reply
suewilliamaon | @suewilliamaon | Feb 23, 2021

I concur with the same problem following surgery, from day1 problem was foot not the TKR.
I seem to be in a void of no one recognising the circumstances I’m finding myself in. No improvement after 6 months. Knee isn’t painful BUT I’m now disabled. Pray for a solution.

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staudek | @staudek | Feb 24, 2021

Do not wait for this to go away...My Husband's knee surgeon told him it would go away, then after my husband complaining for weeks he finally ordered a MRI of his back and told him the issue was spinal stenois in his lower lumbar and referred him to a spinal surgeon. However because of my research on this page we found several people with same issue and were able to get our Primary Physican to order an ABI test to test the blood flow to his foot and the test revealed there were major blood flow issues. He had an angiogram today and the Cardiologist said that the blood flow was restricted right behind the knee and as soon as he completed the procedure the blood flow was resored to his foot and his foot warmed up immediately. It's too soon to tell if his foot pain will go away, but praying he will get some relief....I'm furious that his Knee surgeon would not listen to him and he has suffered needlessly.

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2 replies
staudek | @staudek | Feb 24, 2021
In reply to @mrobbinz "I'm dealing with the same thing--I woke up from surgery numbness in my foot on the..." + (show)
@mrobbinz

I'm dealing with the same thing--I woke up from surgery numbness in my foot on the side that the surgery happened, plus limited movement in my big toe and excruciating lower back pain that I had to beg for a hot compress for. At my post op, the doc just said, "oh that's unusual" and said he'd see how it was at the 30 day. At that appointment the numbness and lack of movement wasn't any better, and they tried to blame it on my chemo 2 years prior. They called in the spine specialist and did an MRI, and then did a spinal steriod injection that made the problem with my foot worse, and inflamed the back issues that were getting better. I finally begged her to do the EMG; but they say everything is firing normally. I'm now being referred to an actual neurologist. I hope they figure something out because it's affecting my balance and my sleep. My oncologist prescribed gabapentin which helps with the cramping, but still can't feel my foot.
No one warned me this was even a possibility, and the orthopedic doctor still claims it is not his fault and was not caused by the surgery. The pain I'm dealing with is even worse than the pain prior to surgery. If anyone knows a good malpractice lawyer I'm taking referrals!

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Have them check the blood flow in your foot...

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1 reply
mrobbinz | @mrobbinz | Feb 24, 2021
In reply to @staudek "Do not wait for this to go away...My Husband's knee surgeon told him it would go..." + (show)
@staudek

Do not wait for this to go away...My Husband's knee surgeon told him it would go away, then after my husband complaining for weeks he finally ordered a MRI of his back and told him the issue was spinal stenois in his lower lumbar and referred him to a spinal surgeon. However because of my research on this page we found several people with same issue and were able to get our Primary Physican to order an ABI test to test the blood flow to his foot and the test revealed there were major blood flow issues. He had an angiogram today and the Cardiologist said that the blood flow was restricted right behind the knee and as soon as he completed the procedure the blood flow was resored to his foot and his foot warmed up immediately. It's too soon to tell if his foot pain will go away, but praying he will get some relief....I'm furious that his Knee surgeon would not listen to him and he has suffered needlessly.

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Thank you for the info. I appreciate all the help and everyone sharing their experiences. It sucks that we have to suffer before anyone takes this seriously. Will keep pushing for resolution. I'm hoping to get something done before I have permanent damage.

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loriaakre | @loriaakre | Feb 24, 2021
In reply to @staudek "Have them check the blood flow in your foot..." + (show)
@staudek

Have them check the blood flow in your foot...

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@mrobbinz I agree, do an ABI test that is a blood pressure of the legs. That is how they found my popliteal artery was pinched during my right TKR. ABI showed low blood flow and an angiogram confirmed it. I had a second surgery to have the artery cut open cleaned out the clot and patched the artery. May cold foot with purple toes was warm and pink. I still have some numbness and tingling but it is more tolerable. That surgeon said there could be cell and tissue damage that is causing the sensation I have. I also had EMG that showed nerve damage. I am now 2 years out with continued knee pain (found the plastic spacer between metal parts in too thin which is causing the instability of the knee) with a fractured knee cap (brittle from no blood supply for 60 days) and some numbness and tingling in the foot with numbness on the outside of the calf. I would not wish anyone to go through what I have been through. Good luck with you TKR issues and be an advocate for yourself.

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