Is it better to go in for Total Knee Replacement of both knees together or one knee at a time?

Question

My mom is 59 yrs old and she has arthriritis of both knees...ie both in very bad condition...the doctor suggested getting both knees operated at the same time(4 DAYS apart)...but I read somewhere that recovery is very much delayed in such cases plus it's difficult to do.anyone with any personal or professional experience please help!

Answer 1

My uncle had knee surgery done on both knees at the same time and he says he did wonderful. He says he wouldn't have done it any other way. He got the theraputic level of ecovering from them done both at the same time instead of being down for so long with one then doing it all over again. My dad ( a few years younger than your mother) on the other hand only needed it done on one and that was several years ago and he still has alot of trouble with his knee. But my uncle (younger than your mother, by about 7-8 years) is doing everything he use to with no problems, rock climbing etc.

Answer 2

I've read the same thing that you have and I think it would be better to have one knee done at a time. I've heard that from several people as well and it's just natural that after an operation like that you're going to favor the knee that's been operated on and it would be very hard to recover when you don't even have one leg that hasn't been operated on yet.

Answer 3

I had my right knee replaced may 4 & I'm doing great .I think if I needed both of them done & the DR would do it I would. She will have the recovery All over with in half the time.

Answer 4

Yes I know a bunch of people in their 40s who have had their knees replaced. I know one woman who is 36. Knees can last close to 20 years and your bones can hold 2 of them. So to be in your 40s and get your knee replaced is not unreasonable. I need mine replaced and my doctor said he would do it in ten years when I am 35.

Answer 5

Yes the recovery will probably take a little longer but if that has been your mothers doctor then he knows about her health needs and he is a professional so he is able to say what is best for her. My grandmother has arthritis and she has had knee replacement in one of her knees only, it was very sucessful. Good Luck !!

Answer 6

Well, I can tell you, that I have a DEAR Friend that needed both Knees replaced. She decided to do one at a time, Her Recovery was much faster than if she had both done at once. Take Care And GOD Speed.

Answer 7

I've had both knees done but my doctor would not do both of them at the same time.Truly I'm hearing about more and more double surgeries and I wish I could have done it that way.But then I think of when I was using the walker and that probably would really have been difficult so maybe my doctor did know best.Your Mom will be in my prayers.

Answer 8

The recovery time varies by the individual, it's a very grueling operation and some people after having one done won't do the other because of the ordeal they've been through on the first. If she needs it and healthy, she should do it as you get older, it takes longer to heal and get through physical therapy. Be prepared to help her out and she needs encouragement to get through the physical therapy. Unless the both of you can accept that sometime in the future, that she'll be wheelchair bound and all the help that entails the operation seems the way to go. Double check as I thought they didn't do double operations as a pratice.

Answer 9

my wife had her knee replaced two years ago but the pain was so great see has not had the other one done she is walking on bone only. i will tell you this your mom needs to remember that she has to do therapy and it's going to hurt like hell but if she dosen't do the therapy she could find her self in a wheel chair for sure a friend of my wifes didn't do what she was to do now she can't walk and my wife can just do it it hurts just do it only one at a time you will have to learn how to walk again. good luck

Answer 10

I work in a Hospital and I have bean in the health care field for over 15 years. It is better to get them done one at a time. I have only seen 2 people that had them both done at one time and they said they would never do that again.