Strange pain in knee from stubbing my toes

[Wolf68]

It has been almost 4 months since my total knee replacement and progress is slow with the occasional setback, but I am happy to be making any progress at all.

One of the few things that have been bothering me about my new joint recently that I can’t find any information on the internet about is the pain I have in my knee when I stub my toes. To be honest it’s not really pain it’s more like a sensation I feel and the best way I can describe it is like an elastic band twanging around my knee but it’s unpleasant and worries me. It tends to be when I seem to jar my foot slightly sideways, and I’ve done it repeatedly when walking on uneven surfaces and when gently catching my feet on chair legs that stick out (I don’t need telling I am a clumsy person). It doesn’t have to be with much force, even the gentlest of movements that cause the foot to suddenly move slightly sideways results in this pain through my knee. Does anyone know what this is and if I should be concerned about it?

[piglette]

Foot problems after knee replacement are not uncommon. This article does give some information hipkneeortho.com.sg/foot-pr...

[Wolf68 in reply to piglette]

That’s similar to the stuff I’ve found online, it’s interesting but I am not really experiencing any of those issues listed, it is foot movements or more particularly foot and toe stubbing causing pain in my knee.

[piglette in reply to Wolf68]

It sounds like a nerve issue.

[Wolf68 in reply to piglette]

I think you’re right. Do you think it could also be ligaments and tendons that have not healed yet? I’m only guessing I was hoping someone on here might know

[Trinity7 in reply to Wolf68]

When you stub or catch your foot on obstacle perhaps your knee joint twists and causes discomfort. I had a knee done in November and fins for myself that happens. Even if I push a shopping trolley fully laden to car I sometimes twist it to control trolley. A few pain killers and ice usually remedies it. Wish you luck finding what works for you

[Wolf68 in reply to Trinity7]

I recall twisting my knees a few times when I played football many years ago and yes it does seem to be a similar feeling although not as painful as the football injuries. Is there anything we can do to stop this happening? It really does put me on edge every time it happens.

[piglette]

They reckon it can take up to two years for a hip or knee to heal properly. The nerves are affected by both ops.

[FraserB]

Hi Wolf68, I'm also 4 months TKR. I know everyone is different but I've been told that 4 months is relatively still early stage in the recovery process, and many of these things can still be happening. Could the "twanging" sensation be the nerves in the area that respond to small movements are still trying to heal and adjust? The soft tissue around my knee and implant are still not yet there and I've been reminded by my doctor who I just saw, that it takes more time, sometimes even up to a year.

[Catseyes235]

Before my TKR I moved every possible thing I could possibly stub, knock against, trip over out of the way. I’m not god’s gift to domestic bliss but I became quite minimalist with clear ‘lines of travel’. (My front room is still stuffed with miscellaneous chairs, stools, small tables etc 6 months after op but anything that you hit against especially feet would be felt in the knee. The exercises involve strengthening ALL the leg muscles from early on …flexing ankles, raising heels etc so keep on keeping on with all the exercises. I’ve still got pains after 6 months especially inner part of knee and this varies hugely throughout the day but I’d still try to avoid stubbing my toe!!