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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?

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safety111 | @safety111 | Aug 16, 2023
In reply to @fourj "Can you describe your neuropathy in detail? How long did it take to resolve?" + (show)
@fourj

Can you describe your neuropathy in detail?
How long did it take to resolve?

Jump to this post

What could help you with your neuropathy is CBD creams.i never used it,but I recently read where that helps for your situation.you have to do your research on it though.
Somebody on this thread mentioned that for pain.

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1 reply
fourj | @fourj | Aug 16, 2023
In reply to @safety111 "What could help you with your neuropathy is CBD creams.i never used it,but I recently read..." + (show)
@safety111

What could help you with your neuropathy is CBD creams.i never used it,but I recently read where that helps for your situation.you have to do your research on it though.
Somebody on this thread mentioned that for pain.

Jump to this post

Have tried that to no avail. , but thanks for the advise.

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flaredhead | @flaredhead | Aug 17, 2023

It is 13 months after my TKR and I still have numbness and tingling in my feet. But, I have been taking Valerian Plant (a supplement) and I believe that has helped lessen the numbness. You can buy it OTC at the grocery store or online. I take two 500 mg caplets every night.

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1 reply
fourj | @fourj | Aug 17, 2023
In reply to @flaredhead "It is 13 months after my TKR and I still have numbness and tingling in my..." + (show)
@flaredhead

It is 13 months after my TKR and I still have numbness and tingling in my feet. But, I have been taking Valerian Plant (a supplement) and I believe that has helped lessen the numbness. You can buy it OTC at the grocery store or online. I take two 500 mg caplets every night.

Jump to this post

What do you think is causing your numbness and tingling?
I have that also plus intense pain when walking, but mostly numbness during the night.
Do you think it will just take time to recover?

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flaredhead | @flaredhead | Aug 17, 2023

In my case, I believe the numbness and tingling is a result of TKR surgery. My knee joint was severely damaged, so in addition to replacing the knee joint the surgeon had to straighten my leg bone. He moved the nerves around the bone so he could shave the bone to correct my gait. I was warned before surgery that there was a risk (15%) that this part of the surgery could damage the nerves and result in a club foot. Very scary. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. But the fact that there was a risk of it happening tells me the nerves in my leg were likely traumatized to some extent. Also, as my gait has corrected itself, I have dealt with pysatic nerve pain. Yes, I believe the nerve problems in my legs and feet are connected to my TKR surgery. I think it's a risk everyone takes when they have that surgery. Most people do well. Some struggle with after effects. I hope you find some answers and relief.

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2 replies
fourj | @fourj | Aug 17, 2023
In reply to @flaredhead "In my case, I believe the numbness and tingling is a result of TKR surgery. My..." + (show)
@flaredhead

In my case, I believe the numbness and tingling is a result of TKR surgery. My knee joint was severely damaged, so in addition to replacing the knee joint the surgeon had to straighten my leg bone. He moved the nerves around the bone so he could shave the bone to correct my gait. I was warned before surgery that there was a risk (15%) that this part of the surgery could damage the nerves and result in a club foot. Very scary. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. But the fact that there was a risk of it happening tells me the nerves in my leg were likely traumatized to some extent. Also, as my gait has corrected itself, I have dealt with pysatic nerve pain. Yes, I believe the nerve problems in my legs and feet are connected to my TKR surgery. I think it's a risk everyone takes when they have that surgery. Most people do well. Some struggle with after effects. I hope you find some answers and relief.

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I ordered a boot this morning. Hoping to take the weight off bottom of foot. Perhaps inflammation around nerve is compressed and this may allow tendons, ligaments, muscles to settle down/heal. Will try anything. Saw this on a video for baxter nerve compression which is first nerve off of lateral plantar nerve which is probably causing numbness in 4th and 5th toes.

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tkr1 | @tkr1 | Aug 18, 2023
In reply to @flaredhead "In my case, I believe the numbness and tingling is a result of TKR surgery. My..." + (show)
@flaredhead

In my case, I believe the numbness and tingling is a result of TKR surgery. My knee joint was severely damaged, so in addition to replacing the knee joint the surgeon had to straighten my leg bone. He moved the nerves around the bone so he could shave the bone to correct my gait. I was warned before surgery that there was a risk (15%) that this part of the surgery could damage the nerves and result in a club foot. Very scary. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. But the fact that there was a risk of it happening tells me the nerves in my leg were likely traumatized to some extent. Also, as my gait has corrected itself, I have dealt with pysatic nerve pain. Yes, I believe the nerve problems in my legs and feet are connected to my TKR surgery. I think it's a risk everyone takes when they have that surgery. Most people do well. Some struggle with after effects. I hope you find some answers and relief.

Jump to this post

I am 13 months post TKR. My surgeon also straightened the tibia. I’m sure this significantly changed the mechanics of my foot as I developed a high grade tear in the plantar fascia. I also have a large numb area on the outside of my knee and calf. I’m going to PT for the tear and doing careful exercises hoping it will slowly heal over the next few months. Knee flexion is good, knee pain is minimal, but heel/foot pain prevents me from taking a walk for exercise. Unexpected and frustrating.

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1 reply
flaredhead | @flaredhead | Aug 18, 2023
In reply to @tkr1 "I am 13 months post TKR. My surgeon also straightened the tibia. I’m sure this significantly..." + (show)
@tkr1

I am 13 months post TKR. My surgeon also straightened the tibia. I’m sure this significantly changed the mechanics of my foot as I developed a high grade tear in the plantar fascia. I also have a large numb area on the outside of my knee and calf. I’m going to PT for the tear and doing careful exercises hoping it will slowly heal over the next few months. Knee flexion is good, knee pain is minimal, but heel/foot pain prevents me from taking a walk for exercise. Unexpected and frustrating.

Jump to this post

I am so sorry you are having pain in your heel and foot. After my surgery I did outpatient PT for about six weeks (after my in-home PT was completed). I admit that doing the extra PT helped my progress, but some of those exercises made the muscles around my knee very sore; it hurt. I dreaded going to PT every time, knowing that the initial outcome would be pain. But the end result was worth it. I did exactly what they asked at PT and everything got better in time. I share this to say, there is hope that PT will be the ticket to alleviating pain in your heel and foot. Good luck!

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fourj | @fourj | Aug 22, 2023

Has anyone experienced Baxter's Nerve Entrapment from ankle swelling after TKR, causing neuropathy, pain, numbness, pins and needles?

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fourj | @fourj | Sep 14, 2023

<p>Has anyone seen a physiatrist for their neuropathy? Had TKR 10 months ago. Ended up with numbness and pain on heel and lateral sole of foot. Now going to see a physiatrist.</p>

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