Both Knees at Once???

[mmmexico]

As I read the posts here, I don't think that I have seen any reference to anyone getting both knees done at once. Is this common? Is it possible? Is it a good idea?

I have two sore knees which I have been told are candidates for a partial knee cap replacement. I will have a definitive diagnosis in a couple of weeks, but I have it in my mind that I can get both knees done at once. Is this realistic?

Thanks...Mike

 

[Dawnie]

Hi Mike, I am now 12 days out from Bi-lateral TKR, it hasnt been all plain sailing but I am still pleased I had them done together, at least I know that when I fully recover thats it, and I dont have to go through it again, Both of my knees were 'bone on bone' so I did not have a good one to rely on. If you are advised to go 'Bi-lat' then I would say go for it.

 

[cotton1958]

According to my MD, bilaterals are becoming more common lately, as they were once. I had my bilaterals done a little over 6 weeks ago. I too was bone-on-bone...

But to answer your question, I don't know anything about partial kneecap replacements. Good luck.

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Mike! Welcome to the BoneSmart forum. So glad you joined us.

Bilateral surgery is done by many surgeons these days and there definitely are some benefits (only one recovery, less expensive). But it's not for everyone. The recovery seems to be a little more difficult, but not so much that you can't handle it. We've had quite a few people on the forum who successfully had both knees done at one time.

So, in my opinion, if your surgeon is comfortable with it and you have problems with both knees...go for it! We'll be here to address questions or concerns you might have and to give you whatever support you need.

 

[ship4]

Hi Mike,
Welcome! I am from NH, an avid outdoors person, active, and had BTKR done in June of 2008. I am 16 months out now and am enjoying life! I went back to downhill skiing, and took up golf this year. Life it great!
So, yes, you can have them both done at the same time. Be sure you have a competent OS who does lots of knee replacements yearly. Good Luck to you!

 

[Texas]

Hi ans Welcome yes you also have cindy88fan amazing she is 12 weeks out and doing great ........you can look at her posts ..........other have done remarkable. If you need them both and your comfortable with it i would get it over only do everything once...........you wont have to go thru it again, good luck to you post anytime with any questions we have all been thru it one way or another................good luck to you please let us know what you decide...............)

 

[cindy88fan]

Hi Mike and welcome to BoneSmart!!! Like Kim said I had BTKR done 12 weeks ago and it's the best thing I could have done. The recovery is not bad at all. Some have more problems than others but mine went well. I would do it all over again if I had to. It's becoming a lot more popular now a days. I was off my pain meds after 6 weeks and my ROM is great! Better than it has ever been. I was bone on bone on one knee for 30 years and bone on bone on the other knee for 25 years. It got so bad that I could hardly walk and I finally said enough is enough and had it done. I'm 45 years old and better than ever. Feel free to post anytime and keep us informed on what you are doing or how you are feeling. We are always here for you!

 

[tango]

Hi Mike! You da man! YES, you can do it....at the same time! Say your prayers, get your upper body and arms in shape, be positive. You'll know when the time is right.

I had my BTKR on July 27, 2009, and I SOOOOOO glad I did! I'm doing way better than prior to surgery. I've had bi-lateral ACLs done twice before, but spaced out by about 3 months between each surgery. This time for the BTKR I wanted the surgeries done and over with; my Doc agreed and I'm now on the other side.

Check out my Knee blog for all the details (link below; need to update as I'm at 11 weeks now).

 

[Max Wallace]

I am about 1 year post op and it has been great. I don't know anything about partial replacement. I had researched about having both done at once and had decided that if my DR. would not do both I would seek another Dr. but he was happy to do it he had a companion surgeon that went through training with him to do doubles one is left handed and one is right handed they do them simultaneously. I had BI-TKR and it only took 2 hours and one recovery. Sometimes when they do a double it's necessary for you to go to a rehab facility for 7 to 10 days where you can receive the attention necessary to get back up and going. I was at a facility for 7 days where I had PT 2 times per day for 7 days when I went home I was mostly self sufficient needing only minimal help. When I left I was able to walk, navigate stairs, sidewalks get in and out of bed, chairs etc.

Good luck!

 

[Josephine]

Mike, a small word of caution. It is most uncommon for a knee to have arthritis in only one compartment and even more uncommon for it to occur only behind the knee cap. That's not to say it doesn't ever but the odds are not in favour. The probability is that if the arthritis isn't already in the main part of the knee it could get there very soon, meaning you will still have a painful knee.

Now, having a knee cap resurfaced is as big an operation as having a total knee replacement so if you get this done and then find you need to have a full replacement done 2-3 years down the line, I doubt you'd be very happy.

So I do suggest you get a second opinion before you go one step further. And make sure this other surgeon is one who does nothing but knees and lots of them - by which I mean 500 a year at the very very least! Is your present surgeon in this category?

 

[Linda2]

My surgeon (not that he's the only doc in the world) says that the patellar resurfacing is not something he would do. I asked, because the main problem with my right knee was with the patella. I had the knee replaced, but ruined the left one first. I'm glad to have them both done now.