Numbness after knee arthroscopy - 5 weeks

Nine_Lives

Not a money save, but a concern I've just had tonight which I hope to get some feedback on before I call the doctors in the morning.

5 weeks ago I had arthroscopy of the knee. Apparently my knee cap was displaced & they removed the plica (sp?).

It's healing slowly & I'm still on 1 crutch. When itching my knee I noticed part of the right side of my right knee was tingly/numb. It was the first time I've noticed it, but then I haven't been touching my knee post-op really so I don't know if it just happened today or has been like this since the op.

I wasn't sure so slowly stuck a pin in (don't go all extreme on me, I didn't insert it much). On the good side I couldn't press too hard. On the numb area it went in - like when you have a splinter (so not too deep) & I couldn't feel it, only the pressure.

So I had my gf touch the pin over my knee as i looked the other way. I could feel it all around the rest of the area, but this 1 section I didn't know when she was putting the pin on it. Only when she put more pressure on.

The knee is still quite swollen & a few week ago I had to see a go who said it was slightly abnormal swelling but as it wasn't hot he wasn't worried. The swelling has gone down a bit and it's not hot or cold just warm.

So obviously, I'm a bit concerned as there's no feeling there. Anyone had similar op & similar problems?

For anyone who's to say see a doctor - ill be calling in the mornig.

heatherberry

Hi, sorry if this is a bit late and you've already called the docs - just seen the thread.
I had a knee operation 3 years ago - anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - and I noticed the same thing a couple of weeks afterwards (and phoned my surgeon in a panic!). Apparently it is a normal consequence of these kind of things as they end up cutting/disrupting nerves to do what needs doing.
A few years on I still have altered sensation in some places around my knee. Not exactly numb, but not normal either.

Obviously you're concerned so want to get it checked out (rightly so) but just to reassure you I believe it's normal. I wouldn't keep sticking pins into yourself though!

Hope this helps.

Toothsmith

Most surgery will damage the superficial nerve endings around the site of the scar.

It's not a problem, and often not noticable unless you poke the area. Usually feeling returns as the nerves regrow/repair - but that happens at about the same rate that hair grows - so it can take some time until full feeling returns.

It's right to contact your Dr if you have any concerns (As obviously noone here can see the problem), but I'm sure this will turn out to be OK.

Nine_Lives

Doctor said it is likely (but not certainly) due to the really bad swelling i had. My knee really did baloon up quite bad & he said this has likely put pressure on the nerve, damaging it. It can take a while to heal, but i'm to get back in touch if it spreads.

It's a localised sensation. Not below or above the knee. Not on the left of the knee or the rear, it's only in a specific spot on the right.

Funnily, i've had searing pain down my right side the past day or so. Today has been hellish. Starts in the neck, runs down the side to the base of my back. Nothing in the top of my bum or thigh though. I was thinking perhaps trapped nerve, but self diagnosis can be dangerous.
I've not had pain like this for a LONG time. Hurts to reach, hurts to lean forward, but these are nothing compared to breathing normally. I can only breathe shallow as the pain in my back/shoulders/necks (traps (tops of shoulders) to be specific i guess). And these is nothing compared to laying down. That is murder.

Have taken about 800mg of ibuprofen & a couple Codeine Phosphate at 11am. 12:30pm now & it's taken a slight edge off it but it's still there. Bloody painful.

It was waking me up this morning, so trying to get some sleep tonight will be fun.