Damage from Iovera Nerve block prior to TKR
I had right TKR 18 weeks ago. Prior to surgery I had lower leg neuropathy and a neurologist could not determine why after testing (you're part of the 20% of the population that gets it for an unknown reason she said). My surgeon recommended the Iovera nerve block prior to surgery because it would help with pain after the surgery. He said that the nerve block would last for about 3 months. I had no problem when the injection was done, minimal bruising and my leg was numb. It's now been more than 3 months later and I still have numbness going all the way down the inside of my thigh to my knee and when I touched the skin it feels like someone's taking a razor blade and slicing my skin open. I'm also having problems when I bend my leg in certain ways or touch my leg in certain spots I start get sharp nerve pains down on my lower leg. I don't know if this is from the Iovera injection or not. And I have a feeling nobody's really going to tell me. Has this happened to anybody else? I already had a chronic pain condition before surgery and if I had known that I would feel the way I do now I don't think I would have had my knee replaced!
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Thank you! If and when I do it, I will definitely share my experience!
I had IOVERA 2 weeks before my July 2024 TKA. It only numbed the mid thigh to mid calf on the outer side of my leg also. The mid to inner side never got numb and that is where the most severe post op pain was. 10 months later I am still numb from mid thigh to mid calf on the outside of my operated leg and have terrible shooting nerve pain all day every day. Really regret having the IOVERA done.
Exactly 👍
I am due for a second Iovera treatment two weeks prior to my September 23 right knee replacement. The first treatment was in late April and produced the usual numbness, but otherwise I had full functionality. I have not experienced any “razor blade” pain, nor any pain for that matter, just the usual numbness, has not bothered me the least. Fingers crossed, I expect the same post surgery. Will return to this forum after my surgery.
SamE
Odd how some are really helped and some are very regretful. Wishing you a positive experience with your next TKR.
I had total knee replacement about 8 years ago. Multiple problems. Had injection done just before surgery to help with post op pain. Immediately after surgery, I woke up rubbing my upper thigh as that was where the pain was (not the knee). I could not lift my leg at all for 3 months and had severe pain in my upper thigh. I was scared I would never have movement in that leg again. Had muscle atrophy, and took almost a year for pain to go away and to regain movement in my leg. To boot, I now have leg discrepancy height, due to the surgery which has caused my back to shift (causing lower back pain) and now have torn 4 ligaments/tears in my hip/buttocks ( causing severe pain in my hip) due to added pressure and strain on this part of the body. Knee Implant was the wrong one and I need to get it replaced. Scared to go through that all again but need to do something about my knee because I can hardly walk now due to back and hip pain from strain and ligament tears. Don't trust 90% doctors most just want to make money and who is good as a surgen? Any suggestions of a good knee replacement doctor?
I had Iovera at the end of October last year and TKR revision at the beginning of November. I am still in more pain than I was before the TKR. I have no faith in my surgeon or his staff. Got a 2nd opinion and there’s nothing that surgeon can do and has recommended neurology consult. 9 months is getting wearing. If anyone has something else to offer as a recourse I’d love to hear it.
Been one year June 28
Still the same pain
PA did it and had no remorse
Told me it would disappear in three months
He is the reason I never went back
I also had the Iovera treatment and did not have the TKR. I had the same terrible pain from the injection the day after and many days since. It has been almost a year and I am close to normal, still some numbness and soreness to the touch but daily activity is fine. I'm writing this hoping to encourage those that had the treatment. I am supposed to have TKR in September, 2025 but not too confident about that. I am trying to let go and let God.
It’s been over a year since I had the IOVERA and the surgery. I am still having nerve pain every day and still numb from mid calf to mid thigh. My knee itself is doing pretty good but I certainly could do without this constant nerve pain. I regret getting IOVERA big time. I refuse to take meds for it due to potential side effects so I just live with it.