What Are the Benefits of a Double Knee Replacement?
If you need to have double knee replacement surgery, then you typically have each knee replaced individually at different times. However, in some cases, surgeons will replace both knees in one procedure. What are the advantages of doing this?
You Only Have One Surgery
If you have each of your knees replaced individually, then you have to go through two separate procedures. You have surgery on one knee, and then once that knee has healed, you have surgery on the other.
This route also involves two doses of anesthesia. If you don't like the idea of being under a general anesthetic, or of having two hospital stays, then one procedure might be more appealing to you. One dose of anesthesia might feel safer than two.
Although a double knee replacement procedure might take longer than a single surgery, you often have two surgeons — one for each knee. So, your procedure won't take that much more time.
You Reduce Your Recovery Time
If you have separate knee replacement surgeries, then you have to spend twice as much time on fixing your knees. You have two surgeries, two stays in hospital, and two periods of rehabilitation.
You might need to take time off from work twice. You'll have to find the time to go for physical therapy for each knee. You have to put twice as much work into rehabilitation.
If you have both knees fixed simultaneously, then you won't lose as much time. You only have to take time off work once and you can rehabilitate both knees at the same time.
You Get Immediate Relief
If your knees aren't in good shape, then your mobility will suffer. You might have a lot of pain and discomfort that makes it hard to cope with your everyday life.
While replacing one knee will improve your situation, the other knee will still trouble you. If you have simultaneous surgery on both knees, you'll feel better faster. You won't have to wait for one knee to heal before you fix the other one.
Not every patient should have both knees replaced at the same time. If you would like to take this route, then you should talk to your surgeon to see what they think. If they believe that you can tolerate one knee replacement surgery to fix both knees, then they can explain the pros and cons to you so that you can make a considered decision.
To learn more about knee replacement surgery, contact a doctor near you.
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