knee replacement five days apart or months apart

[elcammeno]

Am wondering if anyone out there has had two total Knee replacements done five days apart and did it go well? I am having a hard time whether to do it that way or wait to do the 2nd one months later, as I will have at least one strong knee to rely on. The doctor says it is up to me. He claims doing them both during the same operation is hard on the cardo system.

Elcammeno

 

[Josephine]

Well, it is but most cardio systems are up to it. The last hospital I worked in (retired now 18 months) out of 15 or 20 TKRs a week, we would have about 3 or 4 bilaterals. And that was also true in other hospitals. Plus if you read around these threads, you will find several people who had bilaterals done and are delighted.

That is, of course, unless you have heart problems or some such. As I said elsewhere, I have never heard of a patient coming back to theatre as quickly as that for the second knee but there's a first time for everything, I suppose. The usual standard is 3-6 months between.

 

[kath]

my dr will not do both at once, and gave me no other option than to wait 2 months or so. I did first one 1/4 and second one is coming 3/14. He insists recovery is quicker, easier, better and the cardio thing as well. He just all around feels waiting 2 months minimum is best. All the docs have their reasons.
I have an Otis knee as well, I am wondering if the type of knees they are using may make a difference. Not sure, but I spent so much time researching and visiting so many doctors until I found the right one for me, so I figured I better trust him and I do.
In all honesty I don't think I would want to go back in personally and do it at 5 days. There is no way your newly operated knee would be ready to support the other one. It would be like having them both done at the same time. Now for me I am at 8 weeks now and will be at 10 weeks when I get the next one done. My new knee now feels better than the old one, so I am comfortable to go for it. I am still tired, still have pain, but I am ready to do the other one because I am so anxious to move on.
This is just my opinion, I may be considered a whimp, but there are several people on this forum that have had both. Hopefully they will reply to you and you can make the right decision for you. Good luck either way. Keep us posted.

 

[Josephine]

Type of prosthesis makes no difference. A knee is a knee. Sounds like this is a routine your OS has devised for his own reasons, elcammeno, and he obviously seems to have reason to think/know that it works.

Myself, I wouldn't want to do that, I'd prefer to either have a bilateral or space them 3-6 months. Different horses for different courses.

 

[Rowdy66]

Might as well put my two cents in. I have opted to have both knees done at the same time and my surgeon seems comfortable with it. Both of my knees are totally shot, no cartiledge in either one and severe, debilitating pain so even if I just had one done I wouldn't have a leg to stand on, if you get my meaning, lol. I agree with Josephine, for me it was either do both at the same time or wait for 4-6 months for the other one and, honestly, I am in just too much pain everyday. I don't know if you have seen the movie, I think it is called Dog Show, where the different people are entering their dogs in the dog show and the one lady has her knees go out and her husband has to stand in for her. When he wins she hobbles out onto where the husband is being awarded the first prize and her knees are going in every direction. Well, that is me or at least how I feel. I think every doctor does what he prefers and mine understood my desire to have both done at the same time. I will be in the hospital for three days and then go directly into a rehab facility for a week. I know it is going to be hard but for me the thought of getting one knee to the point that there is at least managable pain and then having to do it all over again is just too much for me. Frankly I don't see where waiting five days is much different than doing both at the same time. Anyway, I hope you both have wonderful results and speedy recoveries. Jan (Rowdy66)

 

[Pattipoo]

Rowdy....I've asked a couple of times (and if you answered me, remember, sista, I've taken a drug or ten in the last little while) when is your surgery? I've got to be prepared!!!!!!