Dermal hypoesthesia after total knee arthroplasty

Dermal hypoesthesia is a well-recognized sequelae of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it is poorly documented. Thirty-five knees were evaluated for hypoesthesia among 26 patients after TKA to determine the incidence, area affected, and change over time in situ. All knees sustained an area of hypoesthesia, showing diminution over time. All were affected lateral to the medial parapatellar incision. A 71% decline of the area affected was seen over the first 2 years after surgery. All patients had some residual hypoesthesia with a mean of 33 cm2 at 2 years.