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

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@loriaakre

YES I HAVE!!! it was awful! woke up from surgery with no feeling in my foot just numb and tingling. My surgeon also told me it was normal to have a numb foot, but this was ridiculous. it was like sitting and you foot goes to sleep and you can't stand on it. Well long story short and after several visits to my surgeon and others at walk in was told NORMAL!! NOT! My foot was cold all the time and toes were purple! Went to my primary (Nurse Practitioner) about 5 weeks later who said NOT NORMAL. She ordered an ABI test, tests blood pressure in your legs. Had little to no blood flow to my foot. Went to the cardiologist who ordered an angiogram. Found out the surgeon had pinched off the popliteal artery behind my knee during the knee replacement! That is the main artery that feeds blood to your feet. So I only had a few small veins suppling blood to my foot and toes. So 7 week after my knee replacement I was back in surgery with a different surgeon who went in behind my knee, separated the muscles, and other tissues and found a dead dried up clot of blood where the artery was pinched. NO more cold foot or purple toes, just a 6+ hour surgery.
Went back to my knee replacement surgeon and told him what he did and all he said was "why did you wait so long to get it fixed, you could of lost your leg" REALLY! Then he went in to my medical records and deleted everything that had anything to do with my numb tingly foot! made it look like it never happened.
Anyway don't give up. Have an ABI test done. Takes about 5 minutes to do and is just like taking your blood pressure on your arm.
I Thank GOD everyday for my primary who "saved my leg" I still do have some residue numbness. My artery surgeon checks it every year to make sure the patched artery is working good, but said my foot might be as good as it gets, it went to long without blood flow and has some cell and tissue damage, but at least I have a leg with a foot attached. The chances of what happened to me is .003% and I was 1 of them. Doctors need to not brush off a numb tingly foot to that's just normal give it time. I he would of listened to me and checked into the why, I would of have a much better outcome.
Good luck and let me know if you ever find out anything.

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Replies to "YES I HAVE!!! it was awful! woke up from surgery with no feeling in my foot..."

Since I had neuropathy from chemo already, I was at a higher risk level. However, my first surgery went so well, I was not worried. I have a new neurologist who is easy to get in to see. I am going to make an appointment. I have felt so discouraged and overwhelmed by all the things I cannot get done. My brain does not feel old but my body does. Was encouraged to walk every day on flat surfaces but I have been remiss in it as well as in my exercises. I just feel so discouraged but am feeling like I better at least try my neurologist. Thanks for the encouragement.