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Foot neuropathy (numbness and pain) after total knee replacement (TKR)
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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Hello @caro66, Welcome to Connect. I'm thinking that all of us with neuropathy feel the same as you, please don't let this get any worse while hoping to find something that provides a little relief. I also wear compression socks every day but it's not for neuropathy, it's to keep the swelling in my legs down that is caused from my lymphedema. I have made some lifestyle changes - eating healthier and more exercise which has helped with the neuropathy and keeps me moving. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some information you might find helpful here -- https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/
Have you tried making any lifestyle changes?
Hi there. With my first replacement it was over the top of the knee and in my calf. With the most recent replacement, it's in the calf only. It took about 6 months to resolve with the first replacement and I'm still experiencing nerve pain on the right side and almost 4 months out. It's the weirdest feeling, isn't it?
Yes I too have lymphedema, in the same keg caused by incompetent veins, it only swells when travelling , I walk 3 kms a day as I also have osteo arthritis hence the knee replacements. It’s an annoyance but liveable take care best wishes
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I also had it (numbness) right out of surgery and still do 18 months later, doctors will never take the blame, Was in perfect health other then the knee, now going for back operation in 6 days (two disk fusion), 9 months after TKR low back pain came, pain is 12 on a 1 to 10 scale, funny how all this stuff started after TKR. And I had a 4 star review surgeon.
Yes, it's a weird sensation. I guess that is as good a word as any. Hope your second knee settles down eventually the way your first one did.
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1 ReactionDid you have surgery in Mayo Phoenix? If you had to do it over would you have knee replacement again?
Was done in central NJ, (Seaview ortho), and I would not have had it done, but hindsight is 20/20. I just had three disks in my back replaced, and it may come out OK, so far so good. PS the knee surgeon was supposed to be the best guy around, had more stars in reviews then a 4 star general. and he still managed to screw me up. My advice is to try everything before letting them cut on you, I thought knee surgery was not a big deal, I was wrong!
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1 ReactionMy knee surgery was done in 2005, at first it felt like my socks were bunched up under my foot even when barefooted… now it’s cramping, needles and burning pain in my foot very frequent and very uncomfortable!
I was told it will subside but it just worse over 17 years, my knee joint is great!! It’s my foot that has the neuropathy…
Welcome @jonimac, 17 years is a long time with no answers. Is it just the one foot? Is the pain and burning symptom just a recent occurrence or has it been that way all along?