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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

This is what I saw when I woke up in recovery

REPLY

Picture a few days after operation when bandage came off, foot is still numb after 18 months. Not much hope left for normalcy.

REPLY
@norby

Thanks for your reply and referral to an interesting article. My surgeon does not believe that I have had nerve damage because I have good motor function. However, she does think that nerve compression from swelling is probably causing this. And that’s why she thinks this will “probably” improve with time. But there is always the qualifier that it may never get better.

Jump to this post

I realize that your post is now almost three years old but I hope you see it. Wondering if the sensory problems you had following your TKR resolved over time. Your situation mirrors my own although mine is very recent. I am only seven weeks post op. I'm hoping that this is a time limited event but, as you noted, there seem to be no guarantees. Thanks in advance.

REPLY

Hi, I have this, from day 1. My ankle, big toe especially and walking is very tricky. Sorry to say no resolve from 1 year ago. Searching for correct diagnosis. I had a nerve block in the spine which has unfortunately made the other foot bad too… not as bad, just bad.
☹️

REPLY

I have foot pain, the bottom of both feet feel like the worse case of athletes feet you ever had.It did not just arise, I started out with simple bunion surgery, after 3 or 4 months of healing . I broke the big toe joint and the one next to it as well, the podiatrist called it a Liz Frank break. What ever that meant. I had plates and 13 screws added to my big toe joint and surrounding vicinity. After walking on it for 5 years or more I could not take the pain , 10 out of 10 every day . This is after a left hip replacement 1 year ago. Now I had asked after doing research my self to take the hard wear out . The Podiatrist said yes .
There was 4 hours of surgery , he said he got everything , except 1 screw. I thought my pain in the bottom of this foot was gone mostly . I thought I had Tarsal Tunnel . After 4 days , the numbing medicine is warring off and the pain is returning and it feels like it's blowing up again .
I have been staying of it , icing , , I do have a little more movement with my toes . I just want to be able to go to work and be happy during the day .
I came over to my computer to see if I could find were the surgeon mite have put the numbing medicine in my foot , when I fell on to this page .I thought I would share a little bit and se if any one could help with some experience.

REPLY

I wonder now about, the nerve pain in the bottom of my feet . Im almost ready for my knee replacement on the right side , a year ago they replaced my hip on the left side . Right after that I had severe pain on my left were it was 10 out of 10 from the middle of my back to my left to were the indentation on my butt cheek . Its your back ,its your back , its not my back .Tarsal tunnel ,Maybe ??? I had the hard-wear taken out of my foot, now the knee replacement , oh boy , I hope I can still walk. What does every one think , please let me know . Ok

REPLY
@glassguy3

I wonder now about, the nerve pain in the bottom of my feet . Im almost ready for my knee replacement on the right side , a year ago they replaced my hip on the left side . Right after that I had severe pain on my left were it was 10 out of 10 from the middle of my back to my left to were the indentation on my butt cheek . Its your back ,its your back , its not my back .Tarsal tunnel ,Maybe ??? I had the hard-wear taken out of my foot, now the knee replacement , oh boy , I hope I can still walk. What does every one think , please let me know . Ok

Jump to this post

Hello @glassguy3, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. As patients ourselves we can only share our experiences with you and not really provide medical advice. That said, If I read your first post correctly, it's only been 4 days since you had the hardware from your foot removed and I think the recovery will take a little more time.

The hardware looks similar to what is in my wife's left ankle which was severely broken several years ago. She asked about having it removed but the surgeon suggested leaving it alone since she doesn't have any associated pain in the ankle. Hoping some other members will be able to share their experience of recovery after having hardware removed from their foot.

Here's some information that you might find helpful -- Benefits of Physical Therapy After Fracture Hardware Removal:https://www.verywellhealth.com/physical-therapy-after-fracture-hardware-removal-2696021

Have you discussed the pain with your surgeon to see if they have some suggestions?

REPLY

Yes I had it right out off surgery it has been 12week did the Dr do something wrong when he was in there.

REPLY
@jewlz1

Hi ljn-I've experienced nerve involvement in both of my knee replacements and gabapentin was prescribed to settle that down. The nerves from my LTKR have since healed and I've just started experiencing nerve zingers after my very recent RTKR. I hope you're able to find answers and relief soon. It's a maddening sensation for sure Good luck!

Jump to this post

Could I ask if your nerve involvement is in your feet or at the surgical site? If they were in your feet how long did it take for them to settle down as you described?

REPLY
@johnbishop

Hello @norby, I have small fiber PN with numbness and no pain and I am hoping for a TKR next spring for my right knee which is bone on bone. I have no medical training or background but am wondering if there was any possible nerve damage or compressed/pinched nerve that might be causing the foot pain. I'm tagging @contentandwell, @debbraw and @JustinMcClanahan to see if they are able to share any information with you.

I did find an article that may be helpful from the Wiley Online Library.
Risk factors for acute nerve injury after total knee arthroplasty
-- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mus.26045

Does your surgeon think it may be due to inflammation and eventually that will go away?

John

Jump to this post

I had my second knee replacement in 2018, two attempts at nerve block. After op I had severe loss of feeling on foot, I was assured this would improve, sadly not. Two years later I have no sensation in the foot and now front of leg, I wear compression stockings, warm in summer but effective, I also wear secure leather footwear, comfortable but definitely manna shoes, I also use a foot massage machine to increase blood flow. Hope it stays as is and not get worse, I can live with the pain and numbness.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.