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Neuropathy in Calf & Foot After TKR
Background: I had a successful L2-L5 fusion in May 2024 due to both legs and feet being totally numb. I have had degenerative discs in lumbar spine for many years along with a T12 compression fracture. Fast forward to April 2025 when I had my first TKR on my right knee. Everything was going fine until about week three when climbing my stairs, I heard a loud pop. Eventually, the knee swelled, and the TKR surgeon, drained it for testing of infection. When no infection was found, the surgeon determined my bursa burst and a second surgery was performed in May 2025. ever since the second surgery, I have been experiencing extreme pain and numbness in the foot, along with calf, soreness and tightness. The knee also continues to be numb on the outside. I believe because of my gate, it has now affected my back. I have been doing physical therapy for my knee since April and recently started physical therapy on my back. I’m certain the Physical Therapy is strengthening my muscles but not doing much for the pain. I’m on one nightly dose of gabapentin 300 mg and taking Tylenol as needed. X-rays on the knee have indicated everything looks good in an MRI on the spine shows some below and above changes from the fusion. I’m scheduled to get an injection between L5 and S1 to see if the issue is actually in my spine and not my knee. Anyone have any thoughts or have experienced something similar?
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YES! I’ve had various things like you suggest and as of late the last couple years been going with the Cortizone injections. They were unsuccessful as of late. In anger, I increased my exercise that made a difference and lessened my neuropathy. But strangely, , very strangely - I reached for my bisglycolate, iron pills, my B12 injection and two eggs. Within 48 hours eight years of neuropathy had vanished. I am 68 years old and I have some digestive issues. After much research on how my neuropathy could disappear, I landed on an inability for my older body digesting the nutrients it needs, and the neuropathy commonly caused an older people. It was crazy, but it seems that increasing the family of B vitamins and iron, both found in eggs and supplements caused my nerves my damaged nerves to heal themselves after many years. So much for the stupid pain management, doctors and therapists. I eat a GREAT diet, full of green vegetables proteins, and everything else. But my body couldn’t get enough through regular eating. I need to have supplements and the main state of eggs. And no eggs don’t cause your cholesterol to rise. I have a strong background in science. So go ahead and eat those eggs just don’t saturate them and fats!
Thank you for your response. I am also big on eggs and have been taking a multi B vitamin supplement along with zinc, magnesium and vitamin D3. My neurosurgeon strongly encouraged me to work on my core muscles, which may help with my condition. I am currently doing physical therapy and I believe once I get the spinal injection, it may help me perform some physical therapy without pain. I’m really trying to avoid any further surgeries so that’s my current plan.