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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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I had TKR 14 months ago, with cryoanalgesia, but not Iovera. The numbing was done just prior to surgery, in the OR, with the expectation I would have no pain on awakening. It was clear from the reactions of the surgical and nursing staff that I was the exception. I came out of surgery in pain, unable to lift my leg, let alone walk. I guess everyone is different! The physical therapist immediately started talking "extended rehab" to the nursing staff, or maybe the surgeon -- I could overhear one side of the conversation from my bed. The cryoanalgesia kicked in a little late, and I was kept two nights instead of one, but I left meeting all expectations! Everyone seemed surprised by this delayed response. The heavy feeling went from mid thigh to mid calf initially. Now it remains from just above my knee to mid calf, and for some reason that is much less annoying. I've read this is due to nerve damage and may or may not improve, but it isn't due to the cryoanalgesia. The only real pain I've had is from physical therapy to increase the range of motion in the first 4-5 months.
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1 ReactionHad Iovera before TKR 5/2024 now15 months later still having lack of sensation in leg from above knee to toes. Referred to nerve/pain clinic 8 months ago was informed nerves should regenerate still nothing! Surgeon isn’t interested in my situation I just want to know the truth and if anything can be done. I am in worse condition than before TKR surgery cannot bend knee past 110 and have numbness down leg surgeon says mechanics of knee are fine but this knee replacement hasn’t helped and I wish I’d never had Iovera before surgery.
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1 ReactionI had Iovera about 4 months ago. It really didn't help with the pain, but I still have significant numbness just above the knee. This technique works for some, I'm sure, but I don't think I'd recommend it from what I'm reading.
Have you looked in to Neurontin or the new Journavx? I've read that some patients get that before TKR (guess it depends on surgeon) and it's very helpful for the zingers and the nerve pain after TKR.
I was put on Gabapentin once a long time ago and did not do well with it. Now it’s been proven to cause memory issues and dementia and being 66 I do not want that! I chose to just deal with the daily nerve pain which I am thinking is permanent.
That's scary! I have been on Neurontin for over 20 years, I had no bad side effects but the thought of memory problems is concerning. I have debilitating Restless Legs Syndrome and don't know how I could survive without it but I am going to ask my Neurologist about this.
I live in South Orange County, CA, and many of the docs out here are referring TKR patients for the Iovera injection, but I know the doctor I was referred to do the procedure has been doing it for many, many years...I'm hoping when I'm ready to have TKR that the Iovera will work because otherwise, I would get a 24 hour nerve block and have to rely on pain meds for a
very invasive, brutal surgery and I am too tolerant of pain meds! Sure wish we had other options!
I had the Iovera over a year ago before my knee replacement. I have never regained the muscle use at the injection sight. I to feel pain and the muscle feels dead above the knee where the surgeon did the injections. I am 55 and very active, not overweight. My surgeon gave up on me and sent me to a revision specialist for follow-up after I questioned the horrible stabbing pain and skin irritation. It has now taken me months to get an appointment. I only wish I could take that day back and had never gotten it. I went post op from my knee replacement with zero pain meds because he said I did not need them due to receiving the Iovera. Was the worst surgery of my life, and I will never trust another surgeon.
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1 ReactionI did not get the knee replacement after getting the Iovera. I can't imagine the pain you went through and that doctor was very uninformed of how painful the Iovera can be. Can you go to a pain clinic? I don't know how all that works but I do know the pain of the Iovera in addition to the pain of the surgery would be terrible. I am so sorry you went through this and I fear many will also go through the same thing although I have seen a few (very few) positive comments on the Iovera.
My biggest regret is getting the IOVERA. It’s been 14 months and my knee itself feels so much better than it was but the constant nerve pain is awful and numbness from mid thigh to mid calf on the lateral side. I am convinced this is permanent and I refuse to take gabapentin which seems to be my only option to help with the nerve pain. Besides having to pay out of pocket for the IOVERA…if only I did not have it!