Bilateral knee replacement

That will require some serious caregiver help. My husband at age 68 struggled to be my caregiver for one tkr. I was going to do both at once but I opted out at the last minute but our bodies, physical and caregiver situations are all unique.

I will have help thank God. I am dreading this more than you know. Thank you for the support.

I am beyond the word worried😭

I haven't done knees yet, but 5 hip replacement/revision surgeries and a handful of other orthopedic surgeries. I would not do both knees at once, unless you absolutely have to. Why? You never know the exact outcome of any surgery, and if there are any "glitches" you need at least one leg to stand on as you deal with them. For example, one of my hips dislocated after revision - if both had been done at the same time, I would have been confined to bed until it was repaired, setting my recovery on both legs back. Also, concentrating on strengthening and stretching one new joint at a time is plenty - and what if the recovery progresses at different rates on the two knees?
@heyjoe415 Do you have any suggestions to daa?

I am definitely weighing all the options here. I know it will be very difficult and I want full-time help. Thank you for your input. I’m trying to ask everybody. I know their opinion.

Hi Sue,

I agree 100% that bilateral replacement - replacing both knees at one time, or hips, or shoulders - is NOT a good idea, and for the reasons you state.

I think I've mentioned this before, but if you have a joint replacement planned - hire a trainer or PT to get the muscles supporting the joint in shape before surgery, especially true with the knees, and for anatomical shoulder replacement.

I'm getting an anatomical L shoulder replacement in about 4 weeks. My rotator cuff is intact and my trainer and I have been doing strengthening exercises for the RC with theraband 2 to 3x/week. This will hopefully speed recovery.

Joe

I would like to hear from someone who has gone through the bilateral knee replacement. Thank you for sharing.

If I were you, I would do one knee at a time. Two knees at once is just too much. I know someone who had it done and was in terrible pain. The recuperation for both knees at once was very difficult. I had my right knee done about five years ago. It was a very rough surgery and I was in terrible pain, only being able to take Tylenol due to pain medication allergies. My husband helped me but it was also very hard on him. I have decided to not have my other knee done, although I am in pain with it and it is bone on bone. I just can’t go through it again! If you do one knee, you will have your other knee to help you balance, walk etc. My advice is to take it one at a time. All my best wishes to you. MaryAnn from Boston

I had TKR on May 19 and have had excellent straightening and bending with minimal pain. PT twice a week, exercises and walking fot other days. It is is still a journey that has required every ounce of my energy. I can not imagine having both knees at the same time.

What reasons are the surgeons giving for doing both knees at once? Can they refer you to patients of theirs that went through it and were happy? It sounds like you are in good health otherwise, so anesthesia should not be a problem. I was lucky in not needing my 2nd knee done for over a year from my first, but I agree with others that rehab will be so much harder if you don't have one leg available for stability, and you'll be dealing with double the surgical pain for both legs.