Thanks MrsD for your advice and teaching me to use this system. I'm so glad I found at least one person, JoanO, who has feet neuropathy and has had knee replacement. I'd really like to find a few more before I go ahead with the knee replacement. Should I make another posting with the same question? Any other suggestions for finding such people? Thanks, Skippyfeet

I had a knee replacement and I have small fiber neuropathy. I have Raynaud's in my hands and feet as well. The knee replacement didn't change the outcome or progression of the SFN, as my symptoms are equal in both feet/ankles/lower extremities and I do not need a knee replacement on the other side (I had post-traumatic arthritis and had no cartilage at all left in my right knee.).

As far as waiting, if you are in as much pain as I was, and in both knees, I can't imagine waiting to have it done. I have never regretted the surgery for an instant as at least my KNEE doesn't hurt anymore, and it was awful. Luckily, I am allergic to fluoroquinolones (and nearly all other antibiotics - not so lucky there), so they always give me a dose of IV Vancomycin in the hospital when I have surgery.

Best of luck to you,
Deb G.
KY

I've had PN in my legs and feet since roughly 2006. In 2009 I had complete right knee replacement. I can honestly say my PN was no worse nor any better. What does help my PN at least 70% is 50mg of Lyrica 3 xs a day. If you haven't tried Lyrica you might want to ask your Dr. about it. Hope this helps

Dear Deb G., Thanks so much for your reply. This gives me encouragement. What is small fiber neuropathy? Do you know what caused your neuropathy? Mine came from chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. I don' t know if the type of neuropathy matters in trying to compare cases. Skippyfeet

Dear caringaj, Thanks for your reply. I'm so happy to hear from more people who've had success with having knee replacement and it not affecting the neuropathy. My neuropathy came as a side effect from chemo for ovarian cancer. I can deal with it pretty well now but if it got worse, it would sure be hard for me. I don't know if the cause of the neuropathy matters in trying to compare cases, but just in case, do you know what caused your neuropathy?. My symptoms are coldness and numbness and once in awhile a sort of restless feet type feeling. Thanks again so much, Skippyfeet

--involves damage to the smaller, unmyelinated fibers that subsume the sensory sensations of pan and temperature, and a lot of the autonomic body functions. It generally does not involve motor symptoms, as all larger motor nerves are coated in meylin, as are many of the other sensory nerves that sense vibration, mechanical touch, and body position.

This paper helps to explain this variety well:

http://www.thecni.org/reviews/13-2-p07-treihaft.htm