Is this a dangerous complication or a sign that the surgery was unsuccessful? (Minh Tuan, Ninh Binh)

Answer:

Numbness around the knee or on the inner lower leg is a common occurrence after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. This is not considered a dangerous complication, nor does it indicate that the surgery was unsuccessful.

This condition arises because a small sensory nerve, which passes through the anterior-medial knee region, can be stretched or affected during the surgeon's process of making an incision and harvesting the graft for ligament reconstruction. Patients may experience numbness or reduced sensation in the area surrounding the knee, sometimes extending to the inner lower leg.

Doctor Nghia and the surgical team performing ligament reconstruction for a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.

Beyond numbness, some patients also report tingling, a crawling sensation, or occasional mild, electric shock-like pain in the lower leg area. These symptoms are typically signs that the sensory nerves are actively recovering after the surgical procedure.

While many patients worry about this being a serious complication, these symptoms are related only to superficial sensory nerves. They do not impact the stability of the knee joint or the overall outcome of the ligament reconstruction. The numb area will gradually diminish over time as the recovery process progresses, though the rate of recovery can vary among individuals.

Continuing rehabilitation exercises precisely as instructed is crucial, as this is a vital factor in determining the long-term success of the treatment. Additionally, patients should adhere to their scheduled follow-up appointments, allowing the doctor to evaluate the knee joint's recovery and any associated symptoms.

However, if the numbness progressively spreads or is accompanied by other concerning signs, such as leg weakness, difficulty lifting the foot, reduced toe movement, increasing pain, significant swelling, or fever, immediate medical attention at a hospital is necessary.

Doctor Che Dinh Nghia

Associate Head of Orthopedic Trauma Department

Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi