Life can be drastically changed by having knee replacement surgery since it can reduce chronic pain and increase mobility. The knee is frequently the centre of attention, but it’s crucial to understand that knee replacement surgery can significantly affect the foot as well as other lower limbs. Foot problems after knee replacement surgery are not uncommon. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and specific management techniques is crucial for a good recovery and the best long-term results.
Potential Foot Problems After Knee Replacement Surgery
Here below find common Foot Problems After Knee Replacement surgery:
Plantar Fasciitis after Total Knee Replacement
Following knee replacement surgery, plantar fasciitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the tissue bridging the heel bone and the toes, could appear. The altered biomechanics of the ankle joint cause the heel bone to become slightly stiffer after surgery. The midfoot and forefoot region becomes more painful as a result of the hindfoot’s rigidity. Additionally, it makes plantar fasciitis worse. This disease, which results in irritation and heel pain, can be influenced by changes in stride and weight distribution. For alleviating symptoms, appropriate stretching, shoe changes, and orthotics may be suggested. Get knee replacement surgery in Singapore in a minimally invasive hospital setting. Your specialist will perform a series of tests to assess the extent of your knee condition and explain what to expect from a knee replacement.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(CRPS)
Foot and Ankle Pain Following Total Knee Replacement
After knee replacement, foot discomfort is frequently experienced because of changes in stride or weight distribution. After a knee replacement, patients frequently modify their gait to manage knee discomfort or weakness. This may increase the strain on the foot and ankle, resulting in foot and ankle pain following knee replacement. Physical therapy can help with the return to regular walking patterns, which will lessen ankle and foot pain following knee replacement.
Shin And Ankle Pain After Knee Replacement
After a knee replacement, shin and ankle pain may be caused by improper biomechanics or overuse of these areas during recovery. Changes in gait may cause the shin, which is directly connected to the knee joint, to bear more weight or distribute loads than usual, which can be painful.
Similar to how altered gait can put extra strain on the ankle joint after knee replacement, it can also produce pain in the shins and ankles. However, following a doctor’s advice, such as RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), and taking prescribed painkillers, can help to manage these symptoms.
Must read the pros and cons of knee replacement before you proceed
Foot Turns Out After Knee Replacement
After knee replacement surgery, gait changes may occur. These changes may affect the foot’s mechanics and alignment, which may result in problems like overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot) or supination (outward rolling). Improper foot alignment can cause discomfort, instability, and increased pressure in some foot areas. Physical therapy sessions typically address this while performing exercises to improve gait and correct alignment. To assist healthy foot alignment, orthotic devices could be prescribed in specific circumstances
Ball Pain After Knee Surgery
After knee surgery, pain in the ball of the foot may be the result of metatarsalgia, a condition brought on by increased pressure on the forefoot. This may happen as a result of pain in the foot’s ball brought on by post-surgery changes in weight distribution or changes in gait (motion). Pain may result from an unintentional weight transfer onto the ball of your foot as you become used to your new knee. Physical treatment can assist to strengthen the foot muscles and improve balance, while custom orthotics or shoe inserts can support & distribute weight uniformly across the foot.
Nerve Pain in Foot After Knee Surgery
One of the most frequent complaints following knee surgery is nerve pain in the foot. This is because nerve damage or irritation during the surgical procedure can cause pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in the foot. The risk is for the peroneal nerve, which runs from the knee to the foot.
Why early evaluation and treatment are key
If you have any symptoms of Foot Problems After Knee Replacement and they don’t consistently go away in three months, the sooner you consult a doctor the better your prognosis will be. More issues might come up when people delay seeking help, like:
- Atrophy of the foot or leg
- Loss of muscle control in the feet
- Lack of muscle control in the lower legs
Furthermore, it can cause persistent modifications to your gait. Luckily, with the right care, the majority of patients have a favourable outlook.
Effective Management Strategies
- Physical Therapy: Following knee replacement surgery, a well-structured physical therapy programme is essential for managing foot issues. Exercises that improve gait mechanics, increase foot and ankle mobility and foster general lower limb strength can be created by a qualified therapist.
- Custom orthotics: By correcting foot alignment and offering support, custom orthotic inserts can lower the risk of overpronation and other alignment-related problems. These implants can be customized to the wearer’s unique requirements, improving comfort and stability when walking.
- Modifications to footwear: Maintaining healthy foot mechanics requires wearing the right footwear. Shoes with strong arch support, padding, and a large toe box can ease pain and stop foot issues from getting worse.
- Stretching and Strengthening activities: Specific stretching and strengthening activities can target the muscles and tendons that can be impacted following knee replacement surgery, as advised by a healthcare practitioner. These exercises can help you regain your foot and ankle’s natural function.
- Gradual Progress: Healing requires time. It’s important to build up activity levels gradually and pay attention to how the foot reacts to various actions. To avoid aggravating foot issues, it is advised to move slowly and steadily.
All of this suggests that a good recovery from knee replacement surgery depends on being aware of potential Foot Problems After Knee Replacement surgery. You should be evaluated if you notice that you are having foot issues after knee surgery. A management plan must be specifically tailored to each patient’s needs to provide a smooth transition to an active and pain-free lifestyle. Here only your surgeon can advise you on the best course of action for your particular case of discomfort. A competent group of medical professionals at Hip & Knee Orthopaedics Singapore offers a comprehensive range of therapies to assist you in getting back to a pain-free life.
