Problems after Total Knee Replacement

Bruce, 15 weeks post op TKR for me.

If this is an ongoing problem and it was my leg I would request diagnostic testing and more specifically a nerve conduction test with an EMG.

Here is why: when I got home after surgery last December I was unable to move my toes and the foot was very "dumb". I thought it was part of the effects of surgery. I also had (still have) pain in the exact place my nerve block was administered.

Long story short - lack of progress (still on a walker) and severe pain finally had the above testing. Turns out I suffered complications from either the nerve block (my guess since that is where my nerve pain starts) or the tourniquet and suffered nerve and muscle damage aside from the expected damage that is purely a result from the surgery.

Femoral neuropathy. Treatment with laser and electric therapy and nerves are starting to respond.

I really don't mean to scare you but I am just relaying my experience to you since our symptoms are so similar. At a minimum a consult with your surgeon is warranted. If but nothing for reassurance.

There's so many symptoms and pains and problems connected with this recovery it is hard to know if there is something wrong or it's just another symptom. Personally, my thinking is that if I get a different or ongoing symptom that doesn't improve after trying some remedies; it is ongoing and no sign of improvement - time to check it out.

Good luck

I also had terrifble problems with the nerve in the thigh mainly . . excruciating agony which wuld last ten minutes or so every night.  Even now, two years after the op, I still have numbness and tenderness in the thigh area.  I think it's often caused by the tourniquet which as it is very tight causes damage to the nerve. In my case, it cause meralgia paresthetica  . . .Usually it does resolve, but some permanent damage can happen as is my case.  Both my feet also appear to have damage possibly from the spinal injection, so I get burning and tingling especially at night.  As with you, no problem with the knee .. although still numbess above and around it.  I have a history of dodgy nerves though . . . .Hope yours soon get better, 

Sorry to hear that. Nerve damage can bea nightmare.

I am 14months post op after TKR on right knee and still have nerve problems. I have been told it will subside and it's all part of the healing process because they would have had to cut through nerves. Is you knee numb? If so - Maybe if you got rid of the numbness it would help with the nerve damage.

Like you I find the best thing is to to get out of bed and walk round which was surrreal in the beginning- getting up when your worn out from lack of sleep. Luckily I sleep through a bit now but I am up with the lark!

Worn out by teatime. It's been a rolllercoaster of a year and sometimes I wish I'd never had it done - x

Haven't heard "foot" but nerve pain down one leg is usually sciatica.  Lots of TKR patients get it from walking "funny".  Throw out a hip or spine, lock up an SI joint and that's the result.  My first choice would be to see a chiropractor.  Solved my sciatica in a few weeks.  They probably know which nerve is affected and how to fix it.  If that fails, try acupuncture.  Both have worked for me.

Hi Bruce,

Truly sorry to hear about your back pain.

I had bi lateral tkr's over a year ago and I found that sitting and being more sedative, which is normal after having such a surgery, and the lack of activity, actually caused my back muscles to become weak and therefore not strong enough to support my back well. My weak back caused terrible sciatica pain which ran all the way down to my rt. foot making it numb. There are back exercises that you can look up online to strengthen the muscles that caused sciatica pain. Those exercises help me out a lot at that time. And just naturally becoming more active and strengthening your back muscles through your natural moving about ( kudos on you getting out and playing a round of golf! Without overdoing it, sounds like that's what you need more of ! ), will most likely end this problem. I remember the back pain being almost worse than the knee pain sometimes period so I know what you're going through. If you're still going through Physical Therapy keep your physical therapist informed of your back situation, and I'm sure that he or she will give you exercises that will help strengthen and stretch your back.

God bless and good healing ...sounds like you're on the right track!