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.

wilsonbon | @wilsonbon | Jan 7, 2023

Ok I am almost five weeks into my TKR. I have had foot pain and numbness in my big toe down through my arch and into my heel. It is only on that one side of my foot. Couldn't sleep, stand long, etc. After three weeks I called doctor and his nurse increased my gabapentin to 300mg which is what I was supposed to be on to begin with. Three days later, I have this horrible itchy rash all over my body. Nurse said that gabapentin would not cause that. I stopped the gabapentin two days ago and got some steroids to take and rash is finally getting better. Now I don't have pain in my foot but the numbness is still there.

tka0722 | @tka0722 | Jan 9, 2023

I am 5 months post TKA. I am still on Gabapentin 300 mg at bedtime. I developed numbness and pain in operative foot shortly after surgery. I still have some numbness but no longer pain. I was told it may resolve within 6-12 months.

walleybe | @walleybe | Jan 26, 2023

Has anyone had problems with ankle and toe pain 3 months after tkr.

denhyg1run | @denhyg1run | Jan 27, 2023

In reply to @walleybe "Has anyone had problems with ankle and toe pain 3 months after tkr." + (show)

I do, my heel was numb after left TKR and my arch and ankle hurt. I have to wear loose shoes and tie my athletic shoes loosely. My ankle hurts while sleeping. My Dr told me to see a Neurologist??? Not happy! I'm 3&1/2 mo since surgery. I got a foot massager with heat and it helps but still numb and hurts with shoes.

flaredhead | @flaredhead | Jan 28, 2023

In reply to @walleybe "Has anyone had problems with ankle and toe pain 3 months after tkr." + (show)

I had TKR in my right knee 7 months ago. Strangely, I've had some ankle pain in my nonsurgical leg off and on since the surgery. It may be the result of the realignment of your legs and spine after surgery. My right knee joint was very damaged by the arthritis and changed my gait, and I relied on the nonsurgical leg a lot before and after surgery. Hoping everything will correct itself by the one-year mark.

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Jan 28, 2023

In reply to @walleybe "Has anyone had problems with ankle and toe pain 3 months after tkr." + (show)

Hello @walleybe and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice I've moved your post into an existing discussion on foot pain following TKR, which you can find here:

- Foot neuropathy (numbness and pain) after total knee replacement (TKR): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/foot-neuropathy-after-total-knee-replacement/

I see @denhyg1run and @flaredhead have both joined you, so will let you connect with them!

vinran | @vinran | Jan 29, 2023

My foot neuropathy started within weeks of my TKR, and went unnoticed
the initial 4-6 weeks after surgery because the oxycodone had masked it.
It won’t go away, don’t believe them. Oh, maybe several years down the road.
I went through two different neurologists, leg vein testing etc… you name it and they couldn’t find a thing. Went to a general surgeon for an opinion and heImmediately advised me that the neuropathy is most likely caused by the TKR.
HAD THE SECOND KNEE finished recently, TKR, and that surgeon advised me of neuropathy beforehand without me mentioning it. So yes, be prepared,
I’m over two years since my first and it NEVER went away and no signs it will.
When I questioned the first surgeon, before I decided not to go back, he totally denied such a thing. Most lie and tell you what you want to hear.
But if you can walk, nothing is ever perfect at this stage of life. Learn to deal with it. I did.I do. Good luck.

kp6350 | @kp6350 | Jan 30, 2023

In reply to @vinran "My foot neuropathy started within weeks of my TKR, and went unnoticed the initial 4-6 weeks..." + (show)

Same thing with me. I’m pretty sure my very flat feet played a large role in it. After my first knee numbness and tingling mildly in BOTH feet.
PT helped and seemed to subside. Second knee done 11 months later and following week symptoms came back and only progressively worse since. That was 5 plus yrs ago. Now it’s traveled up my calves. Soooo debilitating and no one can help. I am suffering every single day.