Community Chat

[Bella2]

After X rays show my knees are bone on bone, the orthopedist tells me that I need both knees replaced. They are both quite painful. The cortisone shots help some but they are a stopgap. If you have had experience replacing both at once, could you tell me about your experience and whether you would replace both at once again or not? Also, the doctor says at this is a 4 to 6 week recovery. Is this accurate? Thanks.

[gazelle77]

YES! Do both! Why go through two surgeries and recoveries? Same healing time as with one knee. It is not as bad as people will tell you, and any pain you feel is so much less than that bone on bone pain you have now. Plus the healing pain you have will go away... that bone on bone pain NEVER GOES AWAY. Yes, do both and Get it over with! You can expect to start feeling better by the 8th week or so in reality. Physical Therapy is so very important in your knee recovery... that is probably the toughest part of all. But I can tell you, I would do it again knowing how wonderful I feel today with two straight legs,( I was so bowed legged I was on crutches to walk) I am doing all the things I gave up for 10 years suffering in horrible pain( as you well know all about).

I have no pain today, I walk, bike, go up and down stairs, do yard work, EVERYTHING. I had both of mine done on June 4th 2013 at age 57.

I Just had my left hip replaced done 5 weeks ago. I believe in doing what you have to do to make your life the best it can be. We are not here to suffer but to live our lives and love living our lives.

Best Website is BONESMART.ORG. Go there and see everyone's stories and lots of information as well. Best to you!

[deepwaterdotter]

My surgeon insisted on doing them a year apart. If he had not come so highly recommended as a skillful surgeon, I would have found a doctor who replaced both knees at the same time. Just be sure to take your pain relievers an hour before your rehab appointments. I found that being faithful to my rehab exercises was the key to my recovery. Best of luck!

[reiki604]

My BFF had both knees done last Friday. She went to a rehab facility on Monday for intensive rehab and expects to spend about a week there. She'll then have therapy at home until she progresses to outpatient. Even this early, she's saying it's the best thing she could have done.

[tansy]

I did mine separately. I was able to postpone my other replacement for a few years by having the one strong knee. I'm hoping these two TKRs will not need to be replaced 15-20 years from now.

[qualitygal]

One at a time!!! We don't know your pain or what your doc told you to do, but, I'd want 1 at a time. But that is ME.

[reese2]

My boss had his done six months apart on his doctor's recommendation. You'd never know now that he ever had a problem.

Good luck to you, Bella!

[AnikaBrodie]

DH and I volunteer in an orthopedic wing at a local hospital. When we started doing this in 2002 all the patients had only one knee done at a time. Several years later we were seeing patients who had both knees done at the same time. Most of them said if they did not do this they would not return for the second knee and as long as the surgeon agreed to do both knees at the same time they were happy. From what I've been told the recovery period is similar for both one or two knees.

The surgeons for the most part get the patient out of bed and in rehab the day after surgery. They feel the recovery is better this way as opposed to letting them lie in bed for 3 to 5 days before rehab starts. Almost all patients we've visited are up the day after surgery. There are, of course, exceptions to this.

[JuJu Squeezie]

One knee at a time, they take time to go through therapy and healing.

[tansy]

My first one was in 2008 and I was in the hospital for four days (one day more than expected). My second one was 7 weeks ago and I went home the next day. Recovery's been much faster this time. Some of the surgical techniques have changed recently -- all for the better. I'd let the surgeon decide based on your situation.