Knee replacement causing foot neuroma

Posted by babyjadey @babyjadey, Jun 11, 2022

Does anyone after 6 months of a total knee replacement have a Mortars neuroma?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Hi @babyjadey, Welcome to Connect. Mayo Clinic has some information on symptoms and causes of Morton's Neuroma - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mortons-neuroma/symptoms-causes/syc-20351935. I think damage to the nerves leading to feet/toes can occur when having a knee replacement but it's not the norm. I had neuropathy prior to having my knee replaced and was worried about the TKR making things worse but it didn't happen for me.

Here's some information I found on the topic -- "Can a TKR cause neuropathy in feet?
This systematic study demonstrates that new neuropathy following total knee arthroplasty is rare, with an incidence of 0.37% in patients undergoing TKA." --- Clinical spectrum of neuropathy after primary total knee arthroplasty: a series of 54 cases: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520178/

There is another discussion where members have shared their experience on the topic -- Neuropathy after TKR: I'm 68 and fearful of future: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/68-and-fearful-of-future/

Have you discussed the symptoms with your surgeon or care team? Have any treatments been recommended?

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@babyjadey, you may also be interested in this related discussion:
- How do I get rid of Morton's Neuroma? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mortons-neuroma-209f16/

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I am 21 days post and still in bed. Only to use walker briefly across livingroom and back to bed without ability to use surgical leg due to DVT which I had to call the Dr's office 14 days post to complain of extreme pain and swelling in lower calf. He basically said "You have to tough it out and get out of bed", I asked for ultrasound and he sent me upstairs where after they completed the US said to me " sir I need you to not move and stay on this bed" and they left to call the Dr. 4 clots in lower calf. I've been on Eliquis last 9 days and 2nd US determines no clots but the swelling and hrobing calf pain won't let me out of bed long and have to suffer using walker about total of 30 ft.
Post 21 days TKR - IN BED 23 HRS DAY, Now have swollen foot with level 6 pain in top of foot and last 4 toes that are burning. Icing alot. Having to stY on 5mg. Oxycodone every 4 hrs.
The knee pain and IT band pain is level 8 at times.
I'm 62, 6'2" 214 lbs, use to be in the gym 5 days\week before this surgery. 21 days out and wishing I never had it. Pain and secondary issues just don't seem worth it at this point.

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@rjstroebel

I am 21 days post and still in bed. Only to use walker briefly across livingroom and back to bed without ability to use surgical leg due to DVT which I had to call the Dr's office 14 days post to complain of extreme pain and swelling in lower calf. He basically said "You have to tough it out and get out of bed", I asked for ultrasound and he sent me upstairs where after they completed the US said to me " sir I need you to not move and stay on this bed" and they left to call the Dr. 4 clots in lower calf. I've been on Eliquis last 9 days and 2nd US determines no clots but the swelling and hrobing calf pain won't let me out of bed long and have to suffer using walker about total of 30 ft.
Post 21 days TKR - IN BED 23 HRS DAY, Now have swollen foot with level 6 pain in top of foot and last 4 toes that are burning. Icing alot. Having to stY on 5mg. Oxycodone every 4 hrs.
The knee pain and IT band pain is level 8 at times.
I'm 62, 6'2" 214 lbs, use to be in the gym 5 days\week before this surgery. 21 days out and wishing I never had it. Pain and secondary issues just don't seem worth it at this point.

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@rjstroebel, I posted a reply in the new discussion you started here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tkr-developed-dvt-in-bed-21-days-post/. I also had another thought since you mentioned being in bed so much of the day. I folded up a heavy blanket and stuffed it under the mattress at the bottom of my bed to elevate the legs at night. This helped me with the swelling after my knee replacement. I also used an ice pack wrapped in towels on the knee and legs at night.

Can you raise the mattress a few inches at the bottom end of the bed to elevate your leg while in bed?

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@rjstroebel

I am 21 days post and still in bed. Only to use walker briefly across livingroom and back to bed without ability to use surgical leg due to DVT which I had to call the Dr's office 14 days post to complain of extreme pain and swelling in lower calf. He basically said "You have to tough it out and get out of bed", I asked for ultrasound and he sent me upstairs where after they completed the US said to me " sir I need you to not move and stay on this bed" and they left to call the Dr. 4 clots in lower calf. I've been on Eliquis last 9 days and 2nd US determines no clots but the swelling and hrobing calf pain won't let me out of bed long and have to suffer using walker about total of 30 ft.
Post 21 days TKR - IN BED 23 HRS DAY, Now have swollen foot with level 6 pain in top of foot and last 4 toes that are burning. Icing alot. Having to stY on 5mg. Oxycodone every 4 hrs.
The knee pain and IT band pain is level 8 at times.
I'm 62, 6'2" 214 lbs, use to be in the gym 5 days\week before this surgery. 21 days out and wishing I never had it. Pain and secondary issues just don't seem worth it at this point.

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UPDATE: 6 Weeks
Post TKR.
blood clots in calf that blew up my immediate post TKR rehab are gone and calf swelling gone and DVT pain about 30%.
I'm up, walking on walker(outside) cane inside.home PT completed with me stepping g up and straightening leg and balancing on step although tough, hamstring doesn't want to stretch and quad atrified but will come back.
Saw Dr 3 days ago, ROM is 116 flex and 4 straghtening.
Pain levels 0-6 6 bei g during and after PT.
that damn surgical thigh tornekit tore up my deep peroneal nerve and the web space between 1st and 2nd toe is the most pain I'm having now, especially when daily 2-3 block round trip walk on walker, when I get back besides the knee swelling the ner e pain in foot is a screaming level 7.
Have to elevate and ice.
Fear is scar tissue below knee has formed and won't let me get passed 116 degrees no matter how hard and painfully I try, I use a strap and pull and hold, and even sit in chair and slide back in chair, pull foot in then slide forward in chair but pain and rigidness of lower outer part of knee is so painful and won't stretch.
Therapist has me rubbing scar tissue, and moving cap all directions and I feel the cap move in a directions but the lower outside of knee is not cooperating.
Went to Y as per Dr and sat on vertical stationary bike with seat high w\no resistance and was too stiff and painful to range through the rotation but I'll keep stretching, walking, strengthening leg and get back on bike next week.
Looking back from 6 weeks post TKR
I would never have had it or recommend it unless one can't walk any longer and that was not me prior to tkr.

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