Numbness after surgery

[Kelli_Bear]

Okay I am 1-1/2 days post knee scope.  It as a rather uneventful surgery, one medial meniscal tear removed.

I went to remove my wrap and cover the incisions and take a shower.  My knee is numb from the incision site down several inches - mostly on the outer part of the knee.

I called the OS's office, the nurse talks to Dr. C and he tells her to tell me "that this happens sometimes", that he will talk to me when I see him (IN A WEEK!)

Anyone else had this happen?  Did it go away.  My OS is very good - he is a partner of Dr. E @ Palo Alto Medical Sports Medicine.  But his casual attitude to things like this are very stressful to me.  ACK!

Kelli

[cat]

Hey Kelli,
After my surgery I had a really large numb area. I'm over 4 mos post now and the numb area has gotten smaller. I don't care if I ever get all the feeling back. It doesn't hurt so it doesn't bother me.    It's just kinda weird and ya have to be a little more careful when you shave.

Good luck with your recovery,
cat

[Kelli_Bear]

Were you given any explanation as to WHY this happens? I have had 4 surgeries over the past year and this has never happened nor was I ever told it might happen.

UGH!  It's always something with these knees!

Kelli

[dm]

I don't know for sure, I've got a numb section in the same area you do on my leg, from when I fell and slammed my shin into a metal bar and got my seroma, it seems to be getting a little better over time and I hope it goes away when my seroma does.... 11 weeks and still waiting....

I think one reason is that if you have swelling in the right spot, it affects some of the nerves. Perhaps one of the others with more experience with this will chime in? I'd like to know for certain too!

[jennylind]

I had numbness around my scar area right after surgery. It went away gradually, but now it comes back when my leg swells and disappears when the swelling goes down.

When I first asked about it, I was told it could be from the swelling or it could be nerve endings that were damaged during surgery. My OS said it might go away (which it has) or it could be permanent, but wasn't anything to worry about.

[Sharon]

Kelli,

Pretty much the whole lateral side of my knee is completely numb. I first realized it after my first TTT 2 years ago and my OS said it was from nerve damage due to the nerves being cut during surgery. After that surgery the feeling started to come back, however when I had my second TTT on that leg less than a year later the nerves were further damaged. It's been a year since that surgery and it's still totally numb so at this point I'm thinking the nerve damage is permanent for me. It doesn't bother me too much but it's definitely a wierd feeling.

Sharon

[sfmama]

I just happened to see my OS yesterday and we talked about the numbess.  I have about a three inch incision on the lower outside of my right kneecap (tpf or/if).  he said that the nerves run over the kneecap so that the skin on the outer side of the incision should feel numb (it does) and the skin on the inner side of the incision should not (it's actually hypersensitive).

Depending on where the incision is, it would cut the nerves and therefore leave a numb spot.  I believe great trauma to the area can also damage the nerve endings and leave a numb spot.  (I have a numb spot on my shin from a car accident many years ago).  It usually gets better, but will probably always feel a little funny in that spot.  I don't think there is anything that can be done about it, but it is totally normal for post-surgery.  I really haven't found it to be an issue.  I think you just get used to it.

[Gab]

Yup exactly. The area on the lateral side of the incision where they harvested my patellar tendon feels completely numb but I can feel the medial side. Apparently, they cut some nerves when they make the incision.

[Kelli_Bear]

Did they warn you of this side effect?  Did they say how long it would take for sensation to return?  I am annoyed as I was never told this could happen and when I called telling the OS the whole lateral side of my knee was completely numb, I felt totally dismissed.  UGH - my insurance company and I have spent well over $10K in surgical costs in the last month and I couldn't get a real answer aside from - I will talk to you about it next Wednesday  

I am so so sick of one complication after another.  It feels creepy, I don't even want to touch that leg.

Sigh.
Kelli

[Emily]

Kelli-

I have a huge spot on the lateral side of my leg that is dead... its kind of wierd because it doens't have feeling and doesn't get goosebumps. Mine is nerve damage from cutting down to expose bone for my surgery. I didn't have much feeling around my scope holes, but that's gradually comming back. The long incision I'm told may take years or never regain feeling, but I don't really care since it doesn't hurt! It was creepy at first, but you get used to it... shaving for the first few times is weird! Hopefully yours is from swelling and trauma... after all you had surgery less than 2 days ago, I'm sure your let is a little angry at you eh?

I know it's frustrating, but even if the feeling doesn't return, it doesn't end up to be a big deal. Good luck!

Emily

[stgiles16]

The entire top of my kneecap is numb. That is from nerve damage during surgery. I also have a numb spot about the size of  a quarter on the medial side of my knee. that one is from impact when I had my accident. The kneecap does feel creepy and I did cut myself pretty badly while shaving but you get used to it. My daughter loves to tease me and see if I can feel when she is touching my knee without looking at it. I can usually feel pressure where she is touching but no actual feeling.

dont worry kelli. The numbness may go away but if it doesnt,,,,,,, at least it doesnt hurt and it wont cause any further damage to your knee either.

Good Luck
Missy

[jennylind]

Kelli-

My OS didn't warn me about it, but I noticed it while I was still in the hospital so I asked him about it then. It is frustrating to get an answer like that, but perhaps he wants to examine it before answering?

I know how you feel about now wanting to touch it. It really creeped me out! But, you do get used to it.

[Leentje]

Just after my TTT the whole area on the lateral side of  my incision was numb. I couldn't feel a thing there! My OS didn't warn me but I knew this could happen (being in the medical field) and I read it on this board. Anyway, It has gotten a lot better over time, 2 years post-op I have feeling back but not 100% (say...75 ). It doesn't bother me at all, in the beginning I was constantly rubbing my skin to feel if the numbness got better.
Cause of the numbness is indeed that they have to cut minor nerves in order to reach the LR and TTT site. Sensitivity can return completely or it can stay numb.


CU!

[Gab]

Did they warn you of this side effect?  Did they say how long it would take for sensation to return?

Yes they warned m about it. From the document my OS handed me before surgery:

"The incision leaves a small area of numbness on the outer side of the upper leg. Most of this numbness clears but it takes a year or two and is not usually bothersome."

I wouldn't worry about it frankly. I honestly think it's amusing. My brother didn't believe me so he was pulling my hair and was amazed when I told him I didn't feel anything.  

[Kelli_Bear]

Well now the numbness is subsiding and being replaced by PAIN - now after FREAKING out about the numbness - thinking it was better than this pain LOL.  Oh well - at least the process is moving now in the usual direction.  Thank God for Darvocet.

Thanks all for your kinds words.

Kelli