Bilateral Knee Replacement Surgery: Types, Risks & Recovery

Posted On: November 23, 2021

If the pain in your knee is meddling with your everyday routines and bringing down your standard of living, your doctor will likely highly suggest knee replacement surgery. This type of procedure is generally performed on adults over the age of 60, however, some younger individuals might need this too. When both knees are directly impacted by degenerative arthritis, a doctor may advise bilateral knee replacement surgery.

TYPES

One or multiple procedures may indeed be required for bilateral knee replacement surgery.

• A concurrent bilateral knee replacement is a surgery where both knees are replaced at the same time.
• A staged bilateral knee replacement happens when each knee is replaced at a different time.

Either surgical procedure could include a total knee replacement or a partial knee replacement.

In a concurrent bilateral knee replacement, both of your knees will be replaced at the same time with a simultaneous bilateral knee replacement. The main benefit of a concurrent procedure is there's only one hospital stay and on the recovery, time frame to heal both knees. However, recovery may take much longer as it is more difficult to use both knees at the very same time. Throughout, many people who've had concurrent bilateral knee replacement surgery require help at home while they fully heal.

In staged bilateral knee replacement both knees are replaced in 2 distinct surgeries. These processes are planned a few months apart. This staged method allows one knee to recover before the second knee is operated on.

The major benefit of a staged procedure is that the risk of health problems is lowered. In addition, it necessarily requires a shorter hospital stay. However, as this surgical procedure requires 2 surgeries, this same rehabilitation period may well be significantly longer than expected. This could cause you to miss out on some of your everyday activities.

RISKS

The succeeding risk factors are associated with both simultaneous and staged bilateral knee replacement surgeries. However, with advancing technology and surgical expertise these have reduced quite significantly.

• Infection and inflammation
• Thrombosis
• cardiac arrest
• stroke and nerve damage

RECOVERING PROCEDURE

Individuals are usually taken to a recovery room for a few hours after the surgical procedure before being relocated to your hospital room. After a staged bilateral knee replacement, you'll be in the hospital for 3 to 5 days, and up to 10 days if you have a concurrently bilateral knee replacement. Medicine will be handed to you to assist with any pain.

All through your hospital treatment, your physician is on the lookout for any evidence of disease, thrombosis, and other possible problems. Your physician will also demonstrate low-intensity workouts that can improve mobility and focus on promoting knee healing. You'll proceed with physiotherapy soon within a week of surgical procedure, occasionally within several hours, to assist you to transform back to usual knee movement.

Bilateral replacement cost in India can vary from city to city, and also in different hospitals.