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Nerve block during TKR - pro and con?

Joint Replacements | Last Active: May 26, 2023 | Replies (12)
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@scorpiocan61

I had double knee surgery in Feb this year . The anesthesiologist administered a nerve block in each of my thighs. I was told it would reduce my pain after my partial knee surgery (inside joint of each knee was replaced). I had no feelings in my legs for almost 3 weeks after the surgery from the knee to the ankle. I still have areas which are numb. I also had a lot of swelling. I'm now 13 weeks post surgery and can only bend about 45 degrees for my right, and about 70 degrees for my left. It has been a very frustrating time. Right after the surgery I couldn't discern a cold pack from a heating pad. I have been doing all home exercises, going to physio and even wearing the Dynasplints to hopefully break up or release scar tissue.
Knowing and feeling what I've been through, my vote is a hard NO to nerve blocks.

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Replies to "I had double knee surgery in Feb this year . The anesthesiologist administered a nerve block..."
rostonstar | @rostonstar | May 25, 2023

How is the dynasplint working for you? Does it nake your knee hurt more? Its slow it seems.

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flaredhead | @flaredhead | May 25, 2023

I had TKR on my right knee about 11 months ago. My surgeon used a nerve block and it was an enormous help to me those first 24 hours. It allowed me to get up and walk the same day of surgery, which is very important to recovery of the knee. I have had some numbness in the area near the incision, and in my toes. However, when you consider that the surgeon has to cut open your knee, and work around your muscles, nerves, and tendons, it is logical those things take time to heal and recover. My knee joint was severely damaged, which caused me to be knock-kneed. As a result, the surgeon had to straighten my leg by shaving some of the bone. This required him to move the nerves around my knee and there was a risk of paralysis. Thankfully the paralysis did not occur, but I have always believed that the reason for the numbness in my knee and toes is attributed to moving the nerves, not to the nerve block. It sounds like your experience was different than mine. But I wonder if the surgery itself, instead of the nerve block, could be part of the reason for the numbness you feel.

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