grclark50
junior member
Hello, I am scheduled for Rtkr this month and Ltkr about 30 days later. Is this to close together for a good recovery? Is it better to get them both done the same time.
Thanks
GRC
Thanks
GRC
Is one month apart too soon
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Welcome, grclark50!! We have plenty of BTKRers who will no doubt post their opinions to your question here really soon. Some had the surgery at the same time (saying it was better to get it all done at once) and others who staggered it (saying it was better to have one leg stronger to depend on when the second surgery was done). I think there are positive and negatives to both. In my opinion, it boils down to finding a surgeon you trust and going with what process and devices he is comfortable with. There are some older threads on the forum regarding bi-lateral TKRs that you might want to read in addition to obtaining comments in your thread.
Did you discuss both options with your surgeon?
Did you discuss both options with your surgeon?
calling_all_angels
big-cheese
Jo,
You really have no opinion on this?? The only reason I am doing the other knee so soon is fear!!! LOL thats right you heard me I am a Closet Scaredy Cat. I am worried I will put off having the other knee done if I wait. Because I just do not have time to slow down for this long. So I need to get this behind me. But hey nothing is easy Right?
^i^
You really have no opinion on this?? The only reason I am doing the other knee so soon is fear!!! LOL thats right you heard me I am a Closet Scaredy Cat. I am worried I will put off having the other knee done if I wait. Because I just do not have time to slow down for this long. So I need to get this behind me. But hey nothing is easy Right?
^i^
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Well, Angel, we're all scaredy cats, you know. Truly! Even me. I doubt I'd have the courage to do a bilat but I would get them done as close together as possible if necessary.
grclark50
junior member
Jamie,
Thanks for the reply and advice. I am assuming a BTKR is both at once? Mr Dr says he is against it because he wants one strong leg. However I have to tell you I am going forward with great trepidation, so it would probably be better if I could get them done at the same time.
I have not talked with my surgeon much concerning process just if I should or not which of course is the tough question. I still have almost all the movement I ever did have and can go most days with two tylenol but then there is the stiffness and inability to do everything I want to do for more than two hours. I'm almost 60 and still feel young.
I've heard lots of good things, stories but then there are the bad ones also. Stats say most people are very happy down the road.
GRC
Thanks for the reply and advice. I am assuming a BTKR is both at once? Mr Dr says he is against it because he wants one strong leg. However I have to tell you I am going forward with great trepidation, so it would probably be better if I could get them done at the same time.
I have not talked with my surgeon much concerning process just if I should or not which of course is the tough question. I still have almost all the movement I ever did have and can go most days with two tylenol but then there is the stiffness and inability to do everything I want to do for more than two hours. I'm almost 60 and still feel young.
I've heard lots of good things, stories but then there are the bad ones also. Stats say most people are very happy down the road.
GRC
Linda2
post-grad
When I got my left knee done, I didn't need a lot of pain killers either--as long as I didn't try to do much. I also had really good range of motion. I had heard from many people that the range of motion one gets back is sometimes closely related to what you have going in. Therefore, I decided it was time. I am glad I did it, my range of motion is great and my operated leg is now the "strong" one. My only advise is that if you have a leg that you consider to be the strongest--for example you like to lead with it when going upstairs, or it does most of the lifting work when you stand up--get that one done first. The one I had done was the workhorse for me, and it started taking the load again pretty quickly--like in a couple of weeks. Just my opinion--not a lick of science about it. 
You and I are about the same age (young). I had my right TKR a year ago and definitely don't regret it. I'm assuming you have trust and confidence in your doctor, right? If you have any concerns or doubts (or strong thoughts that you might prefer doing both together), I think you need to make another appointment to discuss it in more detail with your surgeon. And you could get another opinion from a completely different doctor. That has helped some people feel more comfortable with their decision.
One thing I remember being discussed in one of the older threads was the fact that some surgeons don't want to do both knees because of the physical strain on THEM with such a long surgery. This makes sense to me. I definitely would not want my surgeon getting tired halfway through the process!! Some surgeons have a second doctor or assistant perform some of the surgical tasks too (so I have heard), and my personal feeling is that I would not want that. I want the big-bucks guy doing the whole thing!!
But on the other hand, forum members who have had both knees done at once have been very happy they went that direction. That's why I say you have to trust what YOUR doctor prefers to do. They know their comfort zones and you want them comfortable!!
I won't lie to you, you'll be in pain after the first surgery and it may seem like a crazy idea to do it again so soon. But one thing I noticed IMMEDIATELY after my RTKR was that my new joint was SO VERY stable!!! It was a major difference from my old knee. The pain came from the surgery itself and not the joint pain like you probably have now. It 's difficult to describe, but somehow the pain is not as brutal. Plus, it gets better with time where your diseased joints just get worse.
It's a good thing to be having the replacement surgery now while you still have good range of motion - movement. When the range of motion (ROM) lessens, the muscles weaken and things change in your whole body that can make complete recovery to full ROM more difficult. For that reason, I think you are wise to have this done now.
As Jo says, we all were scared just prior to actual surgery. I thought seriously about not doing mine at all as I was waiting through those last couple of weeks, trying to convince myself that I was doing all right and should wait. Fortunately my husband got me back on track. That's the difficult thing about "elective" surgery. It's sooooo.......soooooo.......ELECTIVE!!! Ugh!!!
But don't ever feel guilty if you need another conversation with your surgeon. They deal with this all the time and understand. A good doctor WANTS his patient to be completely ready for the surgery and they will help you reach that point.
HUGS to you. I know exactly what you're feeling and my heart is with you!
One thing I remember being discussed in one of the older threads was the fact that some surgeons don't want to do both knees because of the physical strain on THEM with such a long surgery. This makes sense to me. I definitely would not want my surgeon getting tired halfway through the process!! Some surgeons have a second doctor or assistant perform some of the surgical tasks too (so I have heard), and my personal feeling is that I would not want that. I want the big-bucks guy doing the whole thing!!
But on the other hand, forum members who have had both knees done at once have been very happy they went that direction. That's why I say you have to trust what YOUR doctor prefers to do. They know their comfort zones and you want them comfortable!!
I won't lie to you, you'll be in pain after the first surgery and it may seem like a crazy idea to do it again so soon. But one thing I noticed IMMEDIATELY after my RTKR was that my new joint was SO VERY stable!!! It was a major difference from my old knee. The pain came from the surgery itself and not the joint pain like you probably have now. It 's difficult to describe, but somehow the pain is not as brutal. Plus, it gets better with time where your diseased joints just get worse.
It's a good thing to be having the replacement surgery now while you still have good range of motion - movement. When the range of motion (ROM) lessens, the muscles weaken and things change in your whole body that can make complete recovery to full ROM more difficult. For that reason, I think you are wise to have this done now.
As Jo says, we all were scared just prior to actual surgery. I thought seriously about not doing mine at all as I was waiting through those last couple of weeks, trying to convince myself that I was doing all right and should wait. Fortunately my husband got me back on track. That's the difficult thing about "elective" surgery. It's sooooo.......soooooo.......ELECTIVE!!! Ugh!!!
But don't ever feel guilty if you need another conversation with your surgeon. They deal with this all the time and understand. A good doctor WANTS his patient to be completely ready for the surgery and they will help you reach that point.
HUGS to you. I know exactly what you're feeling and my heart is with you!
calling_all_angels
big-cheese
GrClark,
Hello As you have guessed I am sure, that I am having my second knee done on the 6th of March. I lucked out my OS wanted to do my LTKR 4 weeks out from my RTKR but his Nurse could not get me in to the Surgery Center untill 7 weeks after. So I promise I will let you know how it goes for me OK? Cross my heart.
^i^
Hello As you have guessed I am sure, that I am having my second knee done on the 6th of March. I lucked out my OS wanted to do my LTKR 4 weeks out from my RTKR but his Nurse could not get me in to the Surgery Center untill 7 weeks after. So I promise I will let you know how it goes for me OK? Cross my heart.
^i^
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
But the big bucks guy is right there all the way through so the small bucks guy wouldn't do anything other than what the big bucks guy does! And most of them only do the closing and dressing anyway. That doesn't take a lot of supreme skill.
The real truth from someone who has been there....thanks for clearing that up, Jo.
I guess the future great surgeons have to learn through a kind of apprenticeship just like any other skilled person.
I guess the future great surgeons have to learn through a kind of apprenticeship just like any other skilled person.
Many surgeons go with the 1 at a time thing given the they want 1 strong leg answer. That is ok is the other knee is not as bad as the one they do first. If you have 2 equal bad knees that won't work as the one that hasn't been done might not hold up. I have had numerous surgeries before the BTKR and each time the unoperated knee really flaired up and was almost more of a problem than the operated one. My OS also prefers to do them 1 at a time but after looking at the x-rays he agreed that doing both at the same time was a better option. He did say that if he had started with the right one, he would not have done the left one that day because the right was so bad and took about 3 times longer. I am glad he started with the left one so that both were done at the same time.
Jo, he some cases the 2nd surgeon might just be doing the closing etc but my original surgeon (who I did not go to because of this) a partner actual does the second knee from start to finish.
Simon
Jo, he some cases the 2nd surgeon might just be doing the closing etc but my original surgeon (who I did not go to because of this) a partner actual does the second knee from start to finish.
Simon
grclark50
junior member
Well,Jamie, Linnda2, Judles, Angel, Jo and Simon,
Thanks for that feedback, I do feel better. I am trying to maintain a positive outlook but fear the worse. I have been actice most of my life and have had a hard time deciding if the surgery is worth the risk. I could continue to ride my horse and camp with my grandson's without the surgery but eventually I will give out I am sure. I am just happy to know the Docs are there, the technology is there and the opportunity is there for my taking, or not if I change my mind. We do have a choice fortunately. We are lucky!
I watched the surgery on cable a few years ago and should not have done so, wasn't in need of the surgery then. I have read many great reviews from the surgery, life changing in many cases so I am trying to stay on track.
Thanks
GRC
Thanks for that feedback, I do feel better. I am trying to maintain a positive outlook but fear the worse. I have been actice most of my life and have had a hard time deciding if the surgery is worth the risk. I could continue to ride my horse and camp with my grandson's without the surgery but eventually I will give out I am sure. I am just happy to know the Docs are there, the technology is there and the opportunity is there for my taking, or not if I change my mind. We do have a choice fortunately. We are lucky!
I watched the surgery on cable a few years ago and should not have done so, wasn't in need of the surgery then. I have read many great reviews from the surgery, life changing in many cases so I am trying to stay on track.
Thanks
GRC
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Risk factor is around 1%, grc. Not many things in life you get risk factors much lower. Even walking across the road or driving your car is a much, much higher risk. Even higher that those are the risks you take in your own home - gardening, for instance.
Now if you would admit to yourself that you're just fearful of the actual operation, well we can all testify to that! Who isn't!
And the really good news is that you sleep completely through the actual operation, so I tried to focus on the fact that I would know nothing and be completely in la la land. That helped me.....you sleep and when you wake up it's all over and you can begin the healing process on your way to your new life.
grclark50
junior member
Josephine, Judles, Jamie,
Thanks again for the postive feedback and the pecentage info. I know things could be much worse and I do appeciate the fact that at least it can be fixed. My own Dr said the procedure is almost routine because so many have been accomplished over the years with great success. Guess that is why so many are being done.
This is a good forum to join if you need a boost and I will say I am afraid of the operation, not being a medical person it looks pretty nasty from an onlookers point of view. I hope I can make it back in for the second one, but then maybe I am just too focused on the operation rather than the outcome.
Sounds like all of you have had a good experience overall.
Thanks
GRC
Thanks again for the postive feedback and the pecentage info. I know things could be much worse and I do appeciate the fact that at least it can be fixed. My own Dr said the procedure is almost routine because so many have been accomplished over the years with great success. Guess that is why so many are being done.
This is a good forum to join if you need a boost and I will say I am afraid of the operation, not being a medical person it looks pretty nasty from an onlookers point of view. I hope I can make it back in for the second one, but then maybe I am just too focused on the operation rather than the outcome.
Sounds like all of you have had a good experience overall.
Thanks
GRC
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