TKR Both knees replaced 7.5 weeks apart… Any advice?!

[FionaW]

Hi all, I had my right knee replaced 5 1/2 weeks ago, and today surgery to replace my left knee has been confirmed for two weeks tomorrow, on the 2nd of June - so that’s both knees done just 7 1/2 weeks apart. I’m conscious that my 2 recovery periods will overlap, and things might be quite different and/or more difficult.

Has anyone else had staged bilateral knee replacements so close together? If so, do you have any tips or advice, please?

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Well I had mine done together, does that count?

BILATERAL TKR Recovery Diary

FWIW I am a firm supporter of doing them as close together as possible; shortest possible recovery, fewest effects of having one bad/one good knee.

BTW here on BoneSmart we use 'bilateral' to mean both done together. No criticism intended, it might just puzzle some readers.

 

[FionaW]

Thanks Roy. It’s useful to clarify anything that might cause confusion! I’m using the phrase my surgeon uses: he calls this thing he’s doing ‘bilateral staged knee replacements’. Maybe it’s a term only used in the UK, where I am?

I agree with you about the benefits of replacing the two knees close together, which is why I’ve pushed for it. It’s very unusual though, here at least. 6-12 months apart is more usual, and 12 weeks is generally the minimum.

Is it more usual in the US?

 

[Roy Gardiner]

I live in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, so can't comment much on stateside stuff. My surgeon suggested doing both at once.

 

[FionaW]

I live in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, so can't comment much on stateside stuff. My surgeon suggested doing both at once.

I’m laughing at myself now, for assuming you were in the US! I wonder why I did that?!

I’m genuinely surprised your UK surgeon suggested doing both at once. I’ve been watching this forum for years and I’m also in a UK FB group, and have hardly ever seen simultaneous bilateral surgery here… But maybe I’ve been assuming other people weren’t in the UK too?!

 

[EalingGran]

But maybe I’ve been assuming other people weren’t in the UK too?!

You can see where people are from on their posts. It isn't quite so easy if you access BoneSmart on your phone- but if you turn your phone the other way then their profile appears.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

I’m genuinely surprised your UK surgeon suggested doing both at once.

I was in good shape. 183cm, 78kg (183lb, 13stone, 6') and a keen cyclist. No other conditions bar T2 diabetes, which is no issue.

 

[Jaycey]

have hardly ever seen simultaneous bilateral surgery here

There are many factors in deciding whether to do bilateral surgery. A lot of this depends on the patient's attitude and medical condition. Then there is the stamina needed by the surgical team. They will be working twice as long in the theatre. If there are complications, maybe longer. Many surgeons just won't sign up for bilateral as it can be too taxing for the team.

 

[FionaW]

That makes sense, @Jaycey.

In my case, I had a stroke in September, and since anaesthetic and surgery create cardiac and blood clot risks anyway, the longer operation necessary for bilateral replacement was judged to create unnecessary additional risk.

My surgeon is a leading specialist for complex and emergency cases in the north of England, so, although I would have preferred both knees to be replaced at once from recovery point of view, I was more than happy to take his advice!

 

[FionaW]

But maybe I’ve been assuming other people weren’t in the UK too?!

You can see where people are from on their posts. It isn't quite so easy if you access BoneSmart on your phone- but if you turn your phone the other way then their profile appears.

You guessed it, @EalingGran, I always use my phone, and rarely have it turned sideways!

 

[FionaW]

I’m genuinely surprised your UK surgeon suggested doing both at once.

I was in good shape. 183cm, 78kg (183lb, 13stone, 6') and a keen cyclist. No other conditions bar T2 diabetes, which is no issue.

I guess statistically speaking, most people having double knee replacements are likely to be in less good shape than you were, @Roy Gardiner !

 

[beachjunkie]

have hardly ever seen simultaneous bilateral surgery here

There are many factors in deciding whether to do bilateral surgery. A lot of this depends on the patient's attitude and medical condition. Then there is the stamina needed by the surgical team. They will be working twice as long in the theatre. If there are complications, maybe longer. Many surgeons just won't sign up for bilateral as it can be too taxing for the team.

@FionaW I can’t offer much as I have not had knee surgery yet, but 7.5 weeks is almost two months, hopefully you are having a good recovery on your right knee which will help left knee moving forward easier.

@Roy Gardiner I am in the same school of thought, do both and have one recovery.

@Jaycey This is all so true. . .in my case, there is not a surgeon in my home state that performs bilateral tkr surgery, I have to go out of state to have mine done.

 

[FionaW]

hopefully you are having a good recovery on your right knee which will help left knee moving forward easier.

My right knee recovery has been pretty good, thanks @beachjunkie , but it is definitely limited by the problems I’m still having with my left knee. I can’t walk more than a few paces, or climb more than a step or two, because my left knee won’t take my weight without buckling, and the severe valgus means it literally gets in the way of each step I take with my right leg! I don’t think I’ll make much more progress before both knees are done.

 

[beachjunkie]

hopefully you are having a good recovery on your right knee which will help left knee moving forward easier.

My right knee recovery has been pretty good, thanks @beachjunkie , but it is definitely limited by the problems I’m still having with my left knee. I can’t walk more than a few paces, or climb more than a step or two, because my left knee won’t take my weight without buckling, and the severe valgus means it literally gets in the way of each step I take with my right leg! I don’t think I’ll make much more progress before both knees are done.

@FionaW Oh, so sorry to hear this. This is the same reason why I am opting for a bilateral knee surgery and choose to endure one recovery as both my knees are equally bad.

Time is the nemesis here, I believe the end result/outcome is a good one, hang in there.

 

[benne68]

Hi @FionaW and @beachjunkie -- I notice you are quoting the whole message to which you want to respond. It takes up a lot of space on the page and creates duplicate reading.

Instead, when you want to reply, just go down to the reply box and type your reply. No need to quote if you are replying to the post directly above your reply.
You can also mention the member you want to address by using the @ sign in front of their username (no space) and type your reply.

If you want to quote just a line in a post, highlight just that line.

At the bottom of the post you will see:

Like/ +Quote/ Quote this message.

Click the +Quote

When you get to the reply box, you will see where it says “insert quotes” Click that and it will put your highlighted area into your reply.

Happy Posting!

 

[Finallydone]

it is definitely limited by the problems I’m still having with my left knee.

I was having a few moments of irritation and frustration a couple weeks ago due to my perceived lack of ability to walk with a normal gait, no pai and no limp after my RTKR in January. My left knee is bone on bone and scheduled for replacement next week. It occurred to me that if my walking was now normal, I wouldn’t need another nw knee. I definitely agree that problems with the old knee cause problems with recovery from the first knee replacement. I think more time between surgeries will be more time to develop new bad habits while coping with a recovering new knee and the old debilitated knee. I hope we both recover quickly and enjoy being active and moving with 2 new knees! Blessings