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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Yes ,yes and yes. Had right total knee replacement in July 2023. On the way home (same day of surgery) my right foot had a weird sensation,like a gradual pulling feeling. My husband had to pull over so I could stand up to relieve the pressure. It felt like I had two socks balled up under my heel and ball of my foot. If I stood the gradual pressure would come. I had to stay off of my foot for a week. My big toe and little toe felt like a band was tight around them with tingling, my outside of the foot was numb,the heel was and still is numb.My surgeon and PT stated it will take months to a year to resolve. I do not take med's for it but 8 months later it has toned down intensity,but still there. If it does not get any better I could live with this. Hopefully it will resolve completely.

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“WOW”, I do understand the feeling that you have been challenging!! I too have had both knees replaced and I am having trouble with my right foot. Tingling,sharp pain with stabbing sensation. In other words it Ithurts me to wear any sort of shoe. The pain is so intense at night I can’t sleep at all. I have put everything I can think of on it nothing helps Narcotics or anything I’ve tried massaging the under my littlest toe to make my foot relax enough so I can try to go to sleep. So, Yes, I understand the pain. It’s quite excruciating for myself. My next step is to go to a podiatrist and get a prescription for maybe a different type you but we will see. I hope the best for you and if you find out information, please pass it out.

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IVE HAD NEUROPOTHY IN MY ENTIRE RIGHT LEG AFTER 5 TKRs. THE BURNING IS INTENSE EXPECIALLY AT NIGHT. IVE BEEN TAKING GABAPENTIN SINCE AFTER THE FIRST SURGERY IN FEB 2021. MY DOSE IS 800MG 6 TIMES A DAY. IVE USED WATER THERAPY, AND IT HELPS. IVE USED TMASSAGE CHAIRS AND IT HELPS. CHECK FOR CLOTS. I HOPE YOU GET BETTER. GOD BLESS

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I just had a total knee replacement 6 weeks ago I have drop foot can't flex ankle. I do have some feelings like pains in foot I do take gabapentin and finishing my P.T. Will go in for more nerve test hopefully it will take care of it fingers cross . I do ware an ankle brase it helps to flex my ankle and lift my toes up a little . GOOD LUCK TO YOU and all going thru this .

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@loriaakre

So sorry to hear you have been suffering for over 2 years. My foot as well was numb and tingling after my right TKR. I keep going to different doctors until I found someone who cared and she ordered an ABI Test. It measures the pressure in your legs. When they found the pressure was .4 on my right and 1.26 on my left, I was sent to a cardiologist who ordered an angiogram which showed the popliteal artery behind by knee was totally blocked. The knee surgeon had pinched it during my TKR. I had yet another dangerous surgery where a vascular surgeon cut open the back of my knee and opened the artery. I got 1/2 the numbness and tingling gone right away and my toes were not purple and my foot was not cold. If I would of listened to my knee surgeon who kept saying give it a year or too, I would of lost my leg from my knee down. As it is I probably have cell and tissue damage to my foot from not having any blood flow for 60 days. I may or may not get full feeling back. I am taking gabapentin for the pain in my foot.
The ABI test is a simple test done by ultrasound. I wish you the best!

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Hello, I have the same problem where the popliteal artery is intermittently impinged and it not resolving.

You wrote the 3 following comments:

"I keep going to different doctors until I found someone who cared and she ordered an ABI Test."

" I was sent to a cardiologist who ordered an angiogram which showed the popliteal artery behind by knee was totally blocked."

"I had yet another dangerous surgery where a vascular surgeon cut open the back of my knee and opened the artery."

I have been having difficulty finding drs who understand this. I have been to severa, two orthopedists, a foot doctor, a nerve specialist who said there is no such thing as a vessel entrapment or blockage. I can't find a decent vascular surgeon in my area so I am willing to travel anywhere in the United States if I can find one who has experience with this.

May I ask you who was the first dr who ordered the ABI, the second dr who is a cardiologist and recommended an angiogram and finally, the most important, the vascular surgeon who fixed it?

Thank you for any information that could help.

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Mine is the same situation but on top of foot

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