TWO KNEE replacements TOGETHER....!!

freesia

Have any of you had 2, (yes 2) knee replacements done together at the same time...??

I'm weighing up "all" the pro's & con's - as this is what I will need, and the consultant said YES it can be done.... :!:

His pro's are that it's only one MAJOR op, one anesthetic, and one 'albiet slightly longer' hospital stay....

Obviously there are plenty of con's flying around in my head...!!!

Just wondering if anyone has had this done before, and your thoughts opinions and help please..?

tjt6768

hi hun. Not had this done but need it.. I'm definitely going to ask for mine done at the same time.
I suppose the decision will also depend on what support you have at home..

Best of luck whatever you decide hun. Xx

valval

no help here but if they did not think it would work out for the best they would never have mentioned it and all over in one go got to be good hope it all goes well val

arfaitis

I went in in 2000 for two to be done, the decision was taken to do one at a time, but both were done without me coming out of hospital, it took one month over all in time.
I had an epidural twice and never felt a thing, the beauty of having an epidural is that they leave you on the machine whilst most of the pain goes.
If I was offered it again I would insist on this process, but in those days it took a fortnight to do one, since then they have come on in leaps and bounds.
I did go in a wheelchair, and came out walking.
I did have to have one done again because one got dislodged, when playing badminton 3 years later, which I still do now.
I would be surprised if they do both at the same time, I have not Known that before.
All the best, don't be worried, but keep up with the physiotherapy, the most important part of the lot.
They strive to get you a 90 degree bend, before you leave hospital, I was lucky me knees bend well over that amount.

Arfa

Numptydumpty

Hi Freesia,
I can't really help, but didn't Helenbothknees, have both done together?
Wishing you well with whatever you decide,
Numpty

Helenbothknees

Hi freesia,

I had both done together just over three months ago (July 8th) and I absolutely recommend it. Yes, it's a long op, but so what? Yes, you're in pain afterwards, but you would be anyway. Yes, you don't have a 'good' knee to help you to walk afterwards, but if both your knees are as bad as mine were, that won't make much difference.

Quite honestly I can't think of any cons, and there are lots of pros. So long as all goes well, you only have one op, instead of spending all your recovery time thinking that you'll have to go through it all again. We're going to Madeira next month, and if I'd only had one knee done, I'd probably just about be going for another TKR. OK, I've been very lucky with it all, but things can go wrong as much with one knee as with two, and they don't very often go wrong these days.

One thing - it is quite hard work. You need to exercise both knees rather than just one. But I'm not sure it makes that much difference. Stairs are a bit hard without a 'good' knee, and my better knee couldn't cope with playing 'good knee' and swelled up a lot. But to be honest it wasn't a major problem after the first week or so. And about the hospital stay; I was only there from the Sunday till Thursday anyway - and they wanted to send me home on Wednesday but I refused to go!!! Not very long at all.

I don't know what else to tell you, but if you have any specific questions do ask. But really, I'd definitely say go for it!

villier

Hi Freesia

Sorry can't be of assistance I just want to wish you well what ever you decide.......tc......Marie xx

barbara12

Hi Freesia
I have to have both my hips replaced and I have asked could they do them together , I didnt get a proper answer, but I am scared I wouldn't go back for the second one.
I do wish you well with it , and please let us know how you get on xx

freesia

Seems to definately be more Pros than Cons.....

Mmmmmmmmm decisions decisions......

Thanks Guys & Girls for your help

elnafinn

Hi Freesia

I love the pros your consultant gives for having both knees done at the same time, one op, one anaesthetic and a little longer in hospital, but nothing about post op, when it is all down to you to do all the hard work of making both knees work well plus any post op pain you may get as well. Typical response from a consultant! Would he do both knees or get another consultant in to share the load? Worth asking that question?

My consultant would not do both of mine at the same time because I asked him if we would. On hindsight, I am relieved he did not but that is my opinion. I was very happy with the outcome of both total knee replacements done two years apart.

I wish you well, whatever you decide to go for and please do let us know.

Elna x

Helenbothknees

Four and a half months after the op, I COMPLETELY agree with Freesia's consultant. Hard work making both knees work? I'm not sure it was that much harder than it would have been for one, as you have to exercise anyway. Post op pain? Yes, but I'd have had that anyway; pain in one knee hurts and keeps you awake as much as it does in two.

My consultant did both my knees, and I was wide awake and chatting all the time. It didn't seem to be a big deal for him.

I'm just back from a week's holiday in Madeira, where I happily walked up hills and on cobbled streets, and had a WONDERFUL time. I'm off all painkillers apart from paracetamol once or twice a day. I haven't been in here for a while, as I no longer perceive myself as a person with arthritis, so I more or less forgot about this site (apologies to those for whom that's not possible!).

If I'd only had one knee done, however, I'd still be in severe pain, and probably waiting for or about to have a second op. My knees could not have waited two years; I'd have needed a wheelchair by then. And I don't think I could face another op, I really don't!

Freesia, there you have the two sides of it, Elna's and mine. Your choice.....

kathbee

Wishing now that I had been given the option of having both my knees done at one go. But it wasnt on offer.

I had my right one replaced mid July this year. But now my left knee is so painful now I can hardly put it to the floor, but I am in a bad flare up so hopefully the pain may be less when and if the flare up decides to lie low.

So Helen bothknees, I am in the position that you didnt want to be left in arent I.

Seems like now I may have to go through it all over again.
whereas 4 months on a double 'do' would be over and done with.

Good luck with whatever route you take Freesia, you have to decide what is best for you.
Kath x

diamond

It is never easy to decide what is the best route to take Freesia.I myself had my first tkr last November followed by my second end of April 2012.I did not want to leave second op to late as i felt it was adding more pressure to first tkr.I still am not completely mobile and use a crutch outside.I also have inflammatory arthritis and since June a lot of problems with Achilles tendons so this has held me back.Every knee is different but i am glad they have been done.Recovery varies greatly and a lot of effort must be done post op with exercises.With nhs cuts i did not want to hang on too long indeed i saw a difference in staffing levels in six months.Whatever you decide i wish you well.

Helenbothknees

So Helen bothknees, I am in the position that you didnt want to be left in arent I.

Oh Kath, poor you! I do sympathise.

Here's hoping you can get the other knee done very soon

kathbee

Helenbothknees wrote:

So Helen bothknees, I am in the position that you didnt want to be left in arent I.

Oh Kath, poor you! I do sympathise.

Here's hoping you can get the other knee done very soon

Thank you Helenl
My GP coming tomorrow to give me a 'shot' in the bum. (Depo menrdrone injection( Hoping it does the trick,

Hope everyone not too bad today.

Kath x

blueknees

I'm 5 months post op from one knee TKR and really struggling.

I've done everything recommended by all the medical people and some days I can hardly walk at all.

If I had had both knees done and they were as bad as my right one is I would be housebound.

I see the consultant tomorrow to demand he sorts me out, but not holding my breath. Don't know what is wrong but something is.

Good luck.

elnafinn

I am sorry to read that you are not doing too well post op. Unfortunately it does happen even if we do exactly what we are told to do. It really is bad, rotten luck. There are quite a few others on the forum, also having post op knee problems unfortunately, so you are not alone, not that that will help you much. That is precisely one reason why I only had one knee done at a time. My surgeon only does one at a time, because I asked him out of curiosity. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't, I say, however bad both knees are before a TKR, because you never know how successful it will be until after the op. One at a time was my choice, although both turned out ok for me. When I went in for my second knee op, the surgeon said, do not expect it to go exactly the same as the first one post op and he was right!

I hope your get some answers to your questions very soon .

Elna x

lindalegs

Sorry I'm late to this post Freesia but I had both my knees replaced at the same time in 2000. It is hard work and painful afterwards especially straight after the surgery but I don't regret it and it turned my life around. I have, since, worn my right knee out and had a revision last year but my left knee is still fine 12 years on. I wasn't given an option because both knees were shot but I think I would've opted for it anyway.

Hope this helps and let us know what you decide

Luv