Dr. Says I Need Both Knees Replaced (need all the advice I can get!)

Two words: second opinion. Replacement is drastic. My hope would be that arthroscopic repair is all you need. Check around before you decide.

All I can tell you is what my customer's who have had knee replacement tell me.

It takes a lot of physical therapy once you have a replacement and 2 out of the many customers that have had that done tell me they still have problems and that the surgery did nothing for them. Now, they have had hip replacement and that seems to be better so before you have anyone do anything, do your homework first.

Go to a therapy place and get some answers from others who have had this done. Take off the weight first, the added weight doesn't do anyone any good, I quit smoking over a year ago and I lost 30 plus pounds with WW and still losing.

That's all I can add is what others have told me. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I find it unusual that both knees would go downhill so fast in such a short time. I would get a second opinion and try to lose the extra pounds.

Hopefully you're not anticipating having both knees done at the same time. Some people do but most doctors advise against it. I live alone and don't have anyone to fetch and carry for me, so about 3 days after my surgery, I went to a rehab center for 2 weeks. You definitely need to have 24 hour help for the first couple of weeks. You have to be in a contraption that moves your leg constantly and you can't manage it alone.

The worst of TKR surgery is the PT afterwards. It's intense and not fun at all. There will be some pain, although it's wasn't as bad as I expected. They make sure you have pain meds. After you recuperate you can do walking and stairs just fine.

Do you have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon yet? Make a list of all your questions and take them with you to your first appointment. All the orthos I've met have assistants who sort of shepherd you through the process and are available to help with questions or problems. There are about a million women here who've had TKRs so fire away with any specific questions.

I had both knees replaced 6 years ago. I waited until I could barely walk before doing so. I've had numerous knee scopes over the years, 3 different series of injections etc. You will be in pain, no question; ice will be your best friend. Use ice now after PT...it is so important. You will need some help when you first come home unless you go to a rehab facility. You just have to make up your mind that you will go to PT and also do the exercises at home. Everyone recovers at a different pace. Don't be discouraged if you aren't as far along as others think you should be. They have no idea how you feel!!!! If you aren't ready for this ordeal, wait. Get another opinion. Do whatever you need to before making your decision. Speak frankly with your doctor. You need to trust the doctor and be willing to put in the effort for your recovery. If possible, ask to speak to patients who have had your doctor perform their surgery. Find out how they handled their recovery and how the doctor handled their follow ups.

I wish you all the best with whatever you decide!

I have two neighbors that had knee replacements last year. One in her upper 50s and the other is 62. Both of them still work full time.

They both did great and are very happy they had it done. One is a little overweight and the other average weight. They used a walker and a cane. No other health issues.

They had to stay on one level after the surgery and they both had help. One is married and the other had her sister come stay. The therapist came to their homes and did PT there. I think they were off 6-8 weeks and both wanted to get back to work asap. I don't know the routine but they could sit at work and probably went back part time for a short while. Couldn't drive for many weeks. They pushed it to go back to work early and one had some knee pain because of it.

That's what I know. I'm sure there are plenty of people on here that had it done.

On 4/22/2014 michlady1 said:

I find it unusual that both knees would go downhill so fast in such a short time. I would get a second opinion and try to lose the extra pounds.

I agree. Losing weight is preferable to surgery, always.

I know a poster who had knee replacements ... her body, however, builds excess scar tissue, and she's had problems ever since ... lots of pain.

Every person is different, and you need to trust your instincts.

Losing the extra 30 pounds will take a huge load off your knees. I would do that first and see how I feel, then if I still was having trouble I'd get a 2nd opinion on the replacements - and definitely do NOT have both done at the same time.

First, lose the weight. It makes a great difference. Second, get a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon at a good hospital. Get a full work up including bone density.

Knee replacements have come a LONG way in the past few years (even 2 yrs). They have new prosthetics for gender and size. They also do partial (compartmentalized) replacements. Study about it online. Look at your own x rays.

I had a hip replacement and rehab'd with women who had knee replacements. The people who were the most successful were those with the most knowledge and the most commitment. Usually, joints will be done one at a time. Good hospitals will teach you and prepare you for rehab and post op. It can be done and is done every day. I had my hip replaced and rehab'd alone. I prepared well for it.