Bilateral Knee replacement

[Theresa]

Hello Everyone

I am having my right knee replaced in January and now my left knee is worse than my right. I am going to go back to my surgeon and ask if I should have them both done at the same time. I am scared to death to do both. I hear so many horror stories and nothing positive. But...I don't really want to go back in and have it down six months later. Also, I need to know about anestetic procedures. I want to do the best thing for me. So..if being out with general is better let me know or spinal???

Thanks Theresa :pzld:

 

[Max Wallace]

I am one year post op and the surgery is nothing short of a miracle. At one year my knees feel as natural as I remember them when I was 20. I am a true believer in having both done and one recovery. When I approached my surgeon about having both done at once he was very positive. He does approximately 1000 of these per year and has another surgeon that is in his group that trains with him on the procedure one is left handed and one is right handed they do the surgery in tandem it only takes 2.5 hours to complete both. And because they train together both knees are exactly the same. I had the surgery and was in the hospital for 3 day ,transfered to rehab for 7 days, went home on a walker. Got off of the walker in 1 week had 6 weeks of PT and returned to work after 7 weeks.

This site has it's share of horror stories but the positive accounts far outweigh the negatives.

Browse around do some searches and you will find a wealth of info and support here.

Welcome!

 

[Texas]

Hi Theresa we have people on here that had both done and do just as well s if they had one....If you need both done i say do it and get it over with .only one recovery phys, therp etc...........i wish you the best go to search at the top .key in bi lateral knee replacements or both knees you will find some........good luck to you post anytime.....we have all been thru it one way or another........) welcome

 

[Josephine]

Hello Theresa and welcome to BoneSmart. First off, I think you should read this post A word of caution about forums as it sums up the problem with internet forums all over. They're a great support network in that you can meet lots of people in your situation, but are a very poor representation of TKR people as a whole.

As for the anaesthetic, do read around and see the many other threads where this is discussed. Overall, it's safe to say that spinal anaesthetic is the considered the safest option as it places less strain on your heart and lungs, plus you get wonderful pain relief for the first few hours post-op - an important consideration when you're having both knees done at the same time.

Now don't get all het up and think that means you're going to be awake for the duration of the surgery because it isn't necessarily so. Most anaesthetists knock their patients out anyway, with a nice dose of sedative. This means you will sleep soundly throughout and only wake up when you are safely in the recovery room. If you want, you can be certain of this by just telling him you want don't want to be awake for anything. It's no big deal and he will happily comply.

Anything else we can help you with?

 

[referee54]

I had my BTKR two years ago on November 8th, 2007. both knees had to be done,and I asked my OS if he would do-it,and he said yes. It was tough, I spent nine days in the hospital surgical then rehab unit. Came home with a walker, then to crutches, then to a cane. Now, I am as good as new. I umpire HS and college baseball; I gave up college basketball and football, but I was ready to do that.

The therapy was rough and strenuous, but I, for one, am glad that I had them done at the same time. I cannot remember a stinkin' thing about the procedure---I was OUT COLD. I had a spinal and other stuff, and my anesthesiologist was a great MD. Nothing positive? I am positive, that astough as it was, I would do it the same way again all over again. I went back to school to teach in less than 8 weeks. I umpired my firstgame less than a week after therapy ened for me.

My life is back to normal and I am in no pain. I cycle, during the summer time, 60-80 miles a week,

My best to you---it will be a monumental undertaking, but it has monumental benefits!

Tim C.

 

[loggon]

Theresa
Just read the post above they are glowing reports. I had my right knee done and it is doing OK. I have a lot of IT band problems because I had other medical problems not related to the knee that kept me from exercising for a while. I am 7 1/2 months out and I can do most anything I want.
You will be fine for sure.

 

[cindy88fan]

I had BTKR done in July. It was the best thing I could have done! I was given an epidural and a general. I did just fine.I was with a walker for I think4 weeks and went back to work 6 weeks out part time then full time 8 weeks out. PT was my best friend...for real! The guy I had was great! Go through and read a lot of past posts and you will get a lot of information out of all of it. We are all here to help you!

 

[Theresa]

Thanks so much for the positive support. I will be talking to my surgeon and will let you guys know if i will be having both done or still just the one. Pray for me that he says yes to both.

Thanks agian. What are great place to get support and to learn more about this type of surgery.

 

[Josephine]

:thmb: :thmb: :thmb:

 

[Theresa]

Well...just got off the phone with my surgeons office and his medical assistant told me that she would put me in for bilateral...no need to see the doctor again. I am happy about that and scared to death at the same time. But..like all of you have said...getting both done at the same time is the way to go and I have to agree. I think the nervous part is normal.
This forum is awesome!

Theresa

 

[cotton1958]

Good luck to you Theresa. I am at 12 weeks now. I walked through a grocery store yesterday, and shopped at a mall a few days ago! This was impossible in August!

I still have a limp ... still have a ways to go, need some more ROM...but I can't see that this isn't good!

Let us know how things come along.

Helen

BTKR 8-25-09

 

[Josephine]

Yes!!!

 

[Max Wallace]

Thats great news!

The first 4 weeks are a struggle but after that you will see progress in leaps and bounds. I am so happy that you can get both done at once 1 surgery 1 recovery and a new lease on life.

 

[cindy88fan]

Theresa...I am so happy for you! It will make you feel like a new person once this is all over. But keep in mind it's a long recovery. The neatest feeling is when they come into your room and get you up for the first time! It's amazing. Words can't describe it! When I stood up for the first time on my 2 new knees it was such a great feeling. Yes I had pain but nothing like I had before the surgery. You will be so glad to have both of them done at the same time! Keep us posted. We are here for you...always!

 

[Jamie]

That's great news, Theresa! I think you'll find it was the perfect choice to have both done at once....only one recovery! And everyone will tell you it is NOT twice the pain and difficulty dealing with two rather than one knee replacement.

Do spend some time reading past posts. We have lots of past members who had both knees done, recovered, and went on with their lives. What usually happens is that they no longer come here once they are back to normal and so you may not see all their posts without going into the older threads.

You're gonna be fine and we'll be here to support you!!

 

[tom67]

YEAH Theresa!! BEST Of Luck on your Bi-Lats, Take Care!!

 

[Sticker Lady]

Theresa!
Welcome and congrats on your decision. Doing both at once is tough but so, so worth it. I'm 6 months along and doing great. Hubbie and I went Christmas shopping today and my knees held out better than his! I still get stiff when I sit or stand for a long period of time, but I walk it out in a few steps--it's awsome! Best of luck!
Blessings,
Irene

 

[ship4]

Irene,
Glad to hear you are doing so very well!
Theresa,
I wish you the very best of luck. It is a great deal 2 for 1! You will be very happy indeed!

 

[Theresa]

Hello Again!

Well, my surgery date is Jan. 11, 2010. I can't wait...but then I can. I am sure all of you have gone through the stress of waitng..the unknown and the nervousness of the surgery. I would like to know if when you come out of surgery..do you have on surgical stocking for the prevention of blood clots and did they give you meds. Cn you guys let me know. I hear so much about blood clots..it scares the willys out of me.

 

[Jamie]

Theresa, so glad you have your date for surgery. You know this waiting period is the worst part of the whole process!!! We'll be here for you if you have any questions or concerns.

Try not to worry about the possibility of blood clots. They are just that....a remote possibility. All doctors and hospitals have procedures to greatly minimize you getting one. Only a very few people here on the forum have.

Some doctors use the TEDS stockings and others don't. The latest research is questioning whether or not they really make a difference. But, if your doctor uses them, you'll have them on when you wake up from surgery.

You will be given some type of medication to reduce the chance of a clot forming. Again, what you get depends on your doctor. But these things are tried and true and work very well.

The other thing you will be instructed to do is to MOVE that leg! Even small movements when you are in bed help to keep the blood flowing well. So, just focus on doing that and you'll be fine! You will be getting up and walking soon anyway and that usually takes care of any risk.