Shoulder vs Knee Replacement

Posted by prestol @prestol, 3 days ago

I am in recovery from a right RTSR, and am doing well. My other shoulder and both knees are bone on bone, and all need replacement. I have met with three different ortho surgeons in the same practice for various issues. One surgeon pointed out that I’ll need two functional shoulders to use a walker after knee surgery. However, both my knees are misaligned, badly affecting my gait and balance. One leg is slightly shorter than the other. I am afraid to wait much longer on the knees for fear walking will become even more challenging. My shoulder surgeon says it is entirely up to me and recommends I do my left knee first, which is the longer leg but more severely “curved”. Won’t my gait be even worse after that knee is repaired? Bilateral knee replacement is not an option. Does anyone have any advice on any of this?

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steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | 2 days ago

Is there any way you can get the two surgeons in a common conversation regarding which process should be done in what order? If they can agree on an order I would follow that agreement.

You need a lot of new parts. I would suggest as well that you use surgeon(s) who meet my two tests: Has the surgeon done hundreds (preferably thousands) of such surgeries; and is the surgeon using the newest least aggressive techniques (SubV for knees)? That gives you at least the best chance of speedy recoveries.