Numbness and burning after knee replacement

Hi - I had TKR in 2015 and 2018. First one was perfect; second one was pretty good (no real pain and quick recovery). However with the second one I had numbness in calf and shin - and still do, but maybe 50% less. Leg and knee are still slightly swollen. My RoM is not as good either. I cannot get any info from the surgeon - he listens very carefully and is nice, but does not suggest anything except "wait". I try to do lots of exercise and I do play sports (but not like I used to - but good enough). I am concerned about the numbness because what people think may have happened is that he "clipped" the nerve. Also that leg is not as good on stairs and running _ again I think because the nerve was damaged. And, when walking, I am slightly "pitched forward" - my gait is not as smooth. I really do not quite get it. This was one of the best hospitals in the NYC area and there is no concern about the numbness. I am mid 70's. What can one do? I am NOT a "sit and wait" type. I worry if this will get worse over time. I am constantly working with a physical therapist to strengthen my leg muscles.
If anyone knows what else I should try, please LMK. Thank you

Hi. I am 71 yrs old. I had both knees replaced 11 months apart first one in 2016 and second 11 months later. I have had numb feet (both feet) since 1 week after my second one. Nothing helps. PT, 3 tarsal tunnel decompresses, air casts you name it. NOTHING HELPED. One or two podiatrists that I have seen say it’s my gait from new knees. Did anyone else encounter this. Very debilitating and think I’m stuck with this for rest of my life. So in response it could be your gait….

I have had trouble with burning in my left knee ever since surgery. Had right one done, no problem. Dr put acrylic one in right knee as he thought I might be allergic to metal in left one. But who wants to go through taking old one out and new one put in.

Good morning @lauramp, And thank you @amandaburnett for the introduction. Yes, I had a TKR on my left knee 10 years ago. On Thursday I will have a Mako Robotic TKR on my right knee.

It would not be true to say that I did not have bouts of numbness after my first surgery. What is true is that I do not remember the numbness lasting very long. However, I will also tell you that I have occasional numbness and irritation in the 10-year-old replacement.

Have you ever heard of MFR? That is a type of hands-on therapy or treatment that can address the numbness issue. Your MFR therapist will be able to address the numbness and determine where it may be initiating. Our bodies have a substance called fascia that connects all of our bones, muscles, and ligaments. Sometimes it gets layered or restricted and needs to be released. Because I have treatments twice a week for small fiber neuropathy (SFN), any knee issues of fluid build-up or numbness are treated at that time.

Mayo Clinic has done significant research about neuropathy after knee replacement. Have you asked your medical clinicians about this symptom? What has been their response?

What have you tried on your own to reduce the numbness? Have you ever used medical cannabis in a topical? A company called Papa and Barkley has topical balms for acute pain and discomfort as well as for chronic pain.

Before we "dig in" I would like to hear from you. Please share your symptom frequency, intensity, and the results of any medications or therapies that you have tried.

That will give us a good place to start.
What would you like to have happen at this time? Does it involve pain reduction or just numbness?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Posts have been helpful to me. I am a TKR patient and just one week into the recovery. Seeing my surgeon tomorrow for first followup. I'm hopeful he will answer and address numerous side effects I am experiencing.

Hi @cpo3, Welcome to Connect. It's good to write down your questions and have a plan on what you want to discuss with your surgeon or doctor. You might find this site helpful if you want some tips on how to plan your conversation -- https://patientrevolution.org/visit-tools

Do you normally write down questions and take them with you to your appointment or do you have someone that goes with you?

Good afternoon @cpo3. I hope your TKR surgery went well. I am just 6 weeks out of surgery on my 2nd TKR. My surgeon, his staff and the Physical therapy staff have been quite good to me and very helpful. Have you started doing stretches as directed by a PT? Are you still using your walker? How are you sleeping? Are you able to ice and elevate your knee above your heart several times a day?

I don't want to wear you out with questions......just want you to know that there are no bad questions. If it has been on your mind or just crossed it for the first time.......jot it down. I think that these times with the surgeon are infrequent and that we need to be prepared to maximize the opportunity.

Are your bandages off......do you or your PT assistant, if you have one.....have any worries about infection in the actual surgery area? How does your incision look? Is it closed and sealed completely?

You mention having side effects.....are they from the surgery anesthesia or are they somehow connected to current post-surgery medications for pain and infection protection? Are you using any topical medications at this time? Do you have your apetite back?

If your surgeon is accompanied by his/her PA or Nurse, perhaps you can spend time with him/her on making sure you have the surgeon's recommendations and follow-up visit schedule. If you would like to read about my experiences so far with TKR #2 you can find it here.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tkr-2-lessons-i-am-learning/
May you be free, safe, and protected from inner and outer harm.

Chris

Chris thanks for the kind reply . Im sorry but its my right foot that the hard wear came out .My knee is going to be done on October 11th. I wil say more in a while , thank you

(3) weeks after TKR surgery is really no time at all in the grand scheme of things. The femoral nerve block administered and the open knee surgery itself damages nerves and maybe the numbness is causing the burning in your leg (not your knee). Nerves are the LAST things to heal and you won't have a return to feeling in that area for some time - a few months. Sounds like not an unexpected problem. I've had both knees replaced with total knee replacements and I'm 75 years old. The first was July 2020 & the second was September 2020. Both my knees are still a tiny bit numb when I rub the skin.

9 mths after TKR, which was my revision surgery after the surgeon botched a partial knee replacement. When I say botched, the first time I was helped up after surgery, my leg went straight down the thigh to the knee, then went to the left and then down to the floor!! It scared me as I knew immediately it was not right. Then, whenever I would bend the knee it would have a clicking sound. This was IMMEDIATELY after the surgery. Doc did not see me until next day and told me it should straighten out in a few weeks. He also said, in front of my husband and I, that he had not made something tight enough so the replaced knee cap wouldn't move around. Bottom line is I was in pain for 3-4 months as it never corrected. I shuld have run like heck for a different surgeon but this was during Covid time when hospitals etc. were opening and closing due to cases.
Surgeon said at first he was going to correct it and then at the next visit told me he didn't want to put me through all that again so he recommended a TKR. Well, here I am 9 months after that and have problems with my balance, problems with walking with a cane alone, getting up from a chair makes me almost cry because that knee hurts etc. Also I have a persistant numbness, pins needles, burning in my leg from my knee down to my foot most of the day and through the night.. This started the 2nd day after the 1st surgery. Pain killers never helped ut,

I tolld surgeon and he said it was just part of the healing process. Finally, 6 weeks after getting no where with surgeon I saw my GP who helped me get some relief so I could at least sleep.

On my visits to the surgeon he always seems to be interested as to when I should have TKR on the other knee. He is also in and out so quickly that getting questions answered is difficult. The other knee is bad and I have had injections in it before. I told surgeon I wanted injections in it again so I could at least deal with it until the other leg healed. He told me that wasn't going to solve my problemn! And he offered no help for the pins and needles but did tell me to use a pillow between my legs and that might help me sleep. FWIW, I have been sleeping in the recliner since my first surgery.

Went back to GP and he is helping me with the pins and needle, burning. We are starting with lotions and will work our way up. I also got referral from him for another Surgeon. It is difficult to try to walk with my cane, etc. when my leg feels numb and funny.