One at a time or both at once?

[Wayne Koskela]

I'm a male 55 years old and am on disability retirement because of my knees. Both need replacement. Any thoughts on one at a time or both at once? I understand there are Drs that will do both at once. My thought is go thru one rehab, not two.

 

[hipkid]

Dear Wayne:

I am aware that there are doctores that will do both knees at the same time, I would caution to question your pain treshold/high or low and your current health status prior to making the decision. It is the collective experience that the knee surgery is quite painful with a slow and gradual post operative recovery.

 

[caravan4220]

i just had both knees done at one time and i am glad i did. a lot depends on your health and the doctor. if i had one done at a time i don't know if i would fo went back and had the other one done. i would advise you to look for a surgeon who does the newer surgery procedure where they don't cut the quadracept muscle because it is a shorter period of recovery and rehab.i am about your age and i had mine don on march 6'2006 and i am walking on my own,i'm not back to work yet,buti should be by the beginning of june. it's not a piece of cake, but you have to work on rehab really hard. tjis surgery also has a smaller incision. i live in nj and there happened to be a doctor right near me & they say people fly in to have this surgery.

 

[annie]

I am scheduled for bi lateral next week. I didn't want to go through the prodecure twice. My doc and P.T. say that the recovery time is the same so I am hoping it works out. I am really looking forward to having it all done at once. Good luck to you!! and God Bless!!!

 

[carolannh50]

I am 50 yrs old and presently trying the Synvisc shots in both knees. I am bone on bone in my left knee (had arthoscopic surgery a yr ago today in that one) and minimal space in the right knee. My surgeon said that I will have to have both my knees replaced at some point in time (didn't say when but from the x-ray of the left knee it looks like sooner than later). I'm wondering how bad my right knee has to be in order for me to have both knees replaced at the same time. I would like to get it all done at once and try to learn to enjoy walking and playing with my grandkids again.

 

[bghlpc]

I am an over 65 female and had bilateral knee replacement early Dec. My biggest issue is pain and something catching in my right knee that makes it painful to walk on and off. This is my 12th week, post surgury. Both knees have good to great range of motion. Still in p.t. Curious about others that have pain. Very depressing. The package looks good , but I don't always feel well. Drugs wreck my body. I am still not sorry. Everyone says 3- 6 months recovery and that's why that is said. Anyone else out there in the same boat?

 

[leslie8548]

I am at 4 months and my pain is 95% gone. I get sore if I sit too long with my knees bent or push my physical therapy hard. I also find rising from chairs difficult and painful because I don't quite have my muscles in shape yet. But the pain level lessens all the time. It's incredible to walk aross a room without a cane or pain. (I just marvel at it.)
I had some catching in my knee, but it went away as my swelling decreased.
It sounds like you are doing great so don't get discouraged; each week will be an improvement.
Les

 

[bghlpc]

I'm a male 55 years old and am on disability retirement because of my knees. Both need replacement. Any thoughts on one at a time or both at once? I understand there are Drs that will do both at once. My thought is go thru one rehab, not two.

I must say that this is the worst pain experience I have ever endored. That being said, I would definitely do both at same time. I am finally, after 14 weeks, feeling less pain all of the time and am very mobile. I am 68 and just completing p.t. This is not for sissys. Ask how many bilateral knees your doctor does a year. Go to a major hospital. I am close to NY and went to Hospital for Special Surgerys. Only orthopedics and very low infection rate. Good Luck. Do it!

 

[bghlpc]

I am at 4 months and my pain is 95% gone. I get sore if I sit too long with my knees bent or push my physical therapy hard. I also find rising from chairs difficult and painful because I don't quite have my muscles in shape yet. But the pain level lessens all the time. It's incredible to walk aross a room without a cane or pain. (I just marvel at it.)
I had some catching in my knee, but it went away as my swelling decreased.
It sounds like you are doing great so don't get discouraged; each week will be an improvement.
Les

Thanks for the note. I think I am finally getting there.

 

[gartley]

What if you need both knee and hip replacement both on the same side. Any info on whether to do at the same time or separate?

 

[Joanie]

I didn't think you had a choice. Is that not the case? I know the surgeon I saw previously would have done the worst one first. I thought this was so you would have one leg to depend on; the better one. Does it maybe depend on who your surgeon is?

 

[dids]

I've never known it done. I wouldn't think that, from a purely practical (surgical) point of view it would be a good thing to attempt.





(The information provided here is an opinion of the site monitor and should not be construed as a medical opinion. The site monitor has 40 plus years experience as an orthopedic nurse.)