Can a knee replacement cause nerve damage to the foot?

Peroneal nerve injury causing foot drop is a well-known complication of total knee arthroplasty. Injury in this setting can be caused by compression, ischemia, traction, crush, or laceration. The incidence of this injury based on more recent observations is estimated to be 0.79%.

Can you get drop foot from a knee replacement?

Causes of foot drop might include: Nerve injury. The most common cause of foot drop is compression of a nerve in your leg that controls the muscles involved in lifting the foot (peroneal nerve). This nerve can also be injured during hip or knee replacement surgery, which may cause foot drop.

Can you get nerve damage from knee replacement surgery?

Damage to the nerves that provide sensation of the skin around the knee joint is common after knee replacement surgery. This nerve damage is seldom noticed by the patient, but some people do have bothersome symptoms as a result.

What are the symptoms of nerve damage after knee replacement?

As it provides sensation to the front and sides of the legs and to the top of the feet, damage to this nerve would result in burning and tingling or numbness sensation in these areas. Further damage to this nerve would also cause loss of control in the muscles in the leg that help you point your toes upward.

Why does my ankle and foot hurt after knee replacement surgery?

Sometimes the rotation of the femoral and tibial total knee components changes the rotation of the tibia (shin-bone), ultimately affecting the ankle. If you have ankle pain or feel that you wear out shoes differently since your total knee replacement, it may be worth seeing a foot and ankle surgeon.

How long does it take to recover from foot drop?

Your foot drop condition may improve on its own within 6 weeks. It may take longer for a serious injury to heal. You may need any of the following: Ankle brace: You may be given an ankle brace to help retrain your leg to lift your foot.

Which nerve is most commonly injured after total knee arthroplasty?

The common peroneal division of the sciatic nerve is the most frequently injured nerve because of its anatomical location, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.3% to 4% after TKA [3–6].

How long does it take for nerves to regenerate after knee replacement?

Most people will experience a return in some or part of their sensation. This is probably because the nerve was simply stretched through the surgery. Or other nerves have grown and compensated for the other. If the nerve is purely stretched, experts would suggest that the nerve should recover in 6-12 weeks.