Why Is My Incision Area Numb And How Long Will It Last?

Small sensory nerve fibers are cut with the incision. These nerve fibers run from the inside to the outside of the joint and cutting them causes some areas to feel numb after surgery. It is a temporary sensation that normally resolves over a period of six months to one year post op. While healing you may experience sensations of tingling, pins and needles, itching, burning and even the feeling of a minor electrical shock. These are usually good signs that the nerves are spontaneously firing through the regeneration process. This process is not to be confused with the initial post op numbness resulting from anesthesia or a regional block which can produce numbness lasting for up to 72 hours post op.