Re: Double knee replacement

[Guest guest]

There are several of us that had bi-lateral knees. It is tough but it is

do-able. Surgery on Mon. afternoon, transferred (because of insurance) to

the rehab section late Friday afternoon, home on Mon. afternoon. Used a

walker for a little over two weeks then a cane. Driving at six weeks and

back to work at a desk job. Am very glad I had both done at the same time.

Just do as the PT tells you and you will be fine.

Gloria

[Guest guest]

A friend of ours went through that, and he has no regrets. He said he'd MUCH

rather have

it done all at once than having to go through recovery all over again for the

second knee.

He went into a rehab facility for a little while after the surgery, and that

made a really,

really big difference. He was, I believe, in the hospital for four days and in

rehab for an

additional week. It has been several years now, so times may be reduced. He

healed

quickly and is delighted. He's back into golfing and feels 20 years younger.

He is taller

now that his legs are straight.

He felt as you do, but he was amazed at how quickly he was up and around, and

every day

was better than the day before. He was in his 50's when he had it done.

Good luck to you. Do you have a great doctor and excellent facilities available

to you?

>

> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at the

> same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has

> anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get

> around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

> Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see

> the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do

> it.

>

[Guest guest]

I am currently 3 weeks post op from having my right knee replaced. I

honestly couldn't imagine having both done at the same time. It's hard

enough to get around with one bum leg but both! That's not to say it

can't be done. I've heard of lots of people that do it. But for me

one at a time is fine with me. I guess either way has its advantages

and disadvantages.

>

> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at

the

> same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has

> anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get

> around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

> Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see

> the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do

> it.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Gloria. Knowing it's do-able helps a lot. Having one knee done is less scary because you still have the other leg to count on if the pain is too much when walking. With both knees in pain I'm afraid it will hurt too much to walk. The surgeon said they would have me out of bed and walking the next day. OUCH I probably won't have it done until the summer, but I figure I better start research now so I can make the best decision because I'm a big chicken when it comes to pain.

I've had 3 cesareans and I'm hoping the pain is not worse than that surgical pain.

Thanks so much,

Eileen

>> There are several of us that had bi-lateral knees. It is tough but it is > do-able. Surgery on Mon. afternoon, transferred (because of insurance) to > the rehab section late Friday afternoon, home on Mon. afternoon. Used a > walker for a little over two weeks then a cane. Driving at six weeks and > back to work at a desk job. Am very glad I had both done at the same time. > Just do as the PT tells you and you will be fine.> > Gloria>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I had both done at once. It is a very painful beginning and they get

you up and around within 8 hours of surgery. There are advantages and

disadvantages to doing both at once.

Advantages:

1. Only have to go through it once

2. Your gait in walking is even because both knees have been done

3. One recovery

Disadvantages:

1. Extended recovery time

2. Double the pain in the beginning

3. Longer stays in hospital

Time:

Most hospitals will keep you for a minimum of 3 - 4 days post

operatively after a double TKR. Then it is required that you go to a

rehabilitation center for 7 to 10 days for initial recovery. They

cannot send you home until you can:

1. Get in and out of chairs

2. Wash yourself

3. Get up and down curbs and steps

4. Dress yourself.

I'm very happy I did both at once although I didn't feel that way the

1st 76 hours.

Good Luck,

Alan B. in NJ

>

> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at the

> same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has

> anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get

> around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

> Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see

> the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do

> it.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I just had both my knees replaced 9 wks. ago and am happy the worst

is over.

I had the surg. on a Thurs. and was sent HOME on Monday with no in-

home rehab. I was pretty nervous about coming home and having to

climb 9 steps to get into my house and then having to start out-

patient rehab 2 days after I got home. With help from my husband and

neighbor, I was able to climb the 9 stairs to get into my home. The

only thing I could manage to do on my own once home was to use the

commode which was right next to my bed. My husband had to wash and

dress me for the first 2 weeks and then gradually I was able to start

helping myself more and more.

My husband didn't miss any work during my hosp. stay and recovery at

home (couldn't afford to miss work) but I was fortunate to have my 11

and 14 yr. old sons home to help out (lifting my legs onto the bed,

getting drinks, etc.) while hubby was at work (we homeschool).

Pt was VERY tough for the first 6 or so weeks until I reached 120

degrees of extension. There were many days I cried out in pain when

they forcefully flexed my knees to get the rom they thought I should

have.

At this point, I'm really happy I had both knees done at once. My

recovery is going well (except for hip/lower back problems now)and I

am working hard on strength and balance. I no longer have the bone

on bone pain that I lived with for so long. It's now replaced with a

lot of tightness (feels like my knees are in a vice grip) which can

be lessened by riding my stationary or recumbent bike and then icing

my knees. I'm having noticeable improvements every week and can feel

myself getting stronger.

Wishing you well whichever route you decide on. Just wanted to put

in my 2 cents about having both knees done at once.

Dee from PA

[Guest guest]

I am now 7 months post BTKR. I am 47

I have no regrets. As both knees were ‘bad’,

there was little point doing one leg at a time, as I still wouldn’t have

had a ‘good leg” for support.

I was back at work (nursing) at 8 weeks

post op.

You need to be very pro-active with both

regular analgesia and exercise. Without good analgesia, the recovery would be

miserable.

I have my quality of life back! I feel

great and am so glad the surgery is all behind me

ne in Australia

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[Guest guest]

Not mentioned in the pros and cons of having both knees done at the same time: How much longer is the surgery; that is, how much longer are you under anesthesia and is this a problem? I don't know. Also, I got the impression that you're more likely to suffer blood loss enough to need a transfusion. Did this happen to those of you who had it done at once?As for me, my surgeon only does one knee at a time. I never thought to ask her why because this all came up before I'd found this list and become an informed patient -. I'm now almost 3 months out after the second surgery (they were three months apart) and I'm feeling great! But it does string the recovery out much longer. in ColoradoRTKR, July 23, '07LTKA, Nov, 2, '07 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.12 - Release Date: 26/01/2008 12:00 AM

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[Guest guest]

>

> Not mentioned in the pros and cons of having both knees done at the

same time: How much longer is the surgery; that is, how much longer are

you under anesthesia and is this a problem? I don't know. Also, I got

the impression that you're more likely to suffer blood loss enough to

need a transfusion. Did this happen to those of you who had it done at

once?

Hi , My bilateral tkr took 5 1/2 hrs. and I needed 3 units of blood

2 days after surgery.

Dee

>

> in Colorado

> RTKR, July 23, '07

> LTKA, Nov, 2, '07

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Well in my case, surgery was longer because my knees were a total

loss. I did need to be given back both units of blood I had donated

for the surgery 2 weeks prior. As for anesthesia, most doctors use

nerve blocks these days and don't put you totally under. In my case

that wasn't an option. I kept trying to get up off the table, so they

had to knock me out. I'm such a bad patient. If you're doctor will

let you and you have someone to help at home when you get back, do

both, it's worth not having to go through it twice.

Alan in NJ -- 18-months healed

>

> Not mentioned in the pros and cons of having both knees done at the

same time: How much longer is the surgery; that is, how much longer

are you under anesthesia and is this a problem? I don't know. Also,

I got the impression that you're more likely to suffer blood loss

enough to need a transfusion. Did this happen to those of you who had

it done at once?

>

> As for me, my surgeon only does one knee at a time. I never thought

to ask her why because this all came up before I'd found this list and

become an informed patient -. I'm now almost 3 months out after the

second surgery (they were three months apart) and I'm feeling great!

But it does string the recovery out much longer.

>

> in Colorado

> RTKR, July 23, '07

> LTKA, Nov, 2, '07

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi , Yes I have a very good doctor that I trust. It's encouraging to hear that your friend did so well. I'm 55 so maybe I'll be as lucky as your friend was. Thank you so much for telling me his experience with the surgery. Eileencarafe4039 <stiney1@...> wrote: A friend of ours went through that, and he has no regrets. He said he'd MUCH rather have it done all at once than having to go through recovery all over again for the second knee.

He went into a rehab facility for a little while after the surgery, and that made a really, really big difference. He was, I believe, in the hospital for four days and in rehab for an additional week. It has been several years now, so times may be reduced. He healed quickly and is delighted. He's back into golfing and feels 20 years younger. He is taller now that his legs are straight.He felt as you do, but he was amazed at how quickly he was up and around, and every day was better than the day before. He was in his 50's when he had it done. Good luck to you. Do you have a great doctor and excellent facilities available to you?>> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at the > same time so

I only have to go through the whole process once. Has > anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get > around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital? > Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see > the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do > it.>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Gloria, That is great news to hear. I'm glad you did so well. I hope I am as lucky as you if I decide to get both done at once. Your story is very encouraging. Thank you. Eileenmthoover <mthoover@...> wrote: There are several of us that had bi-lateral knees. It is tough but it is do-able. Surgery on Mon.

afternoon, transferred (because of insurance) to the rehab section late Friday afternoon, home on Mon. afternoon. Used a walker for a little over two weeks then a cane. Driving at six weeks and back to work at a desk job. Am very glad I had both done at the same time. Just do as the PT tells you and you will be fine.Gloria

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy, I hope you are getting better each day. What you are saying is exactly what I'm afraid of, not being able to get around. It's a big decision I have to make and I have to give it a lot of thought. I'm afraid that with the intense pain in both knees I won't want to walk at all. I probably won't have it done until the summer so I have a lot of time to get many opinions on the subject. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. Eileen Kathy <biloxikat@...> wrote: I am currently 3 weeks post op from having my right knee replaced. I honestly couldn't imagine having both done at the same time. It's hard enough to get around with one bum leg but both! That's not to say it can't be done. I've heard of lots of people that do it. But for me one at a time is fine with me. I guess either way has its advantages and disadvantages.>> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at the > same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has > anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get > around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital? > Any information you

can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see > the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do > it.>

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

I was 27 when I had both knees replaced. I wouldn't have done one at a

time. It wasn't bad for at all. I was in the hospital for 3 days, then

in patient rehab for 15 days. Which I think helped the recovery a lot

more, being there so long. I am young so everyone told me it would be

eaier for me than an older person. I used the wheelchair while in the

hospital and the walker. And went home with only the walker and only

used that for a few weeks then I was using nothing at all.

>

> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at

the

> same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has

> anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get

> around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

> Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see

> the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do

> it.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at the

> same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has

> anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get

> around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

> Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see

> the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do

> it.

>

I am 3 weeks post-op bilateral tkr. First few days were the roughest,

but I can see improvement every day now. I am taking some pain

medication, but much less than one week ago

I was in hosp 6 days, approx. 4 ½ hours of surgery. Spinal analgesic

really kept me comfortable first few days. Ride home was a little

tricky, figured on a belt hung from the handle above the rear seat of

the car to help pull your self in and out of car seat. I have full

extension and approx 116 degrees of flexion. I was able to get in and

out of toilet area on my own at home , with raised commode seat with

arms. First few days I was not allowed to shower, but soon was able

to shower easily with added suction cup handles added to shower wall

as I step in and out.

I don’t consider myself extremely pain tolerant or brave, but I

did not think I wanted to have to wait to be able to walk

non-knock-kneed. My back and hips and ankles did not like the way I

was having to walk.

I checked out the advice of a number of surgeons and am in

otherwise good health. Then I asked a number of doctors who they would

send their family member to for this surgery. That was who I decided

on. My surgeon offers a pre-op class which was very helpful.

I donated 3 units of my own blood, which was given back to me

within the first couple days. I did have a little trouble getting

walking due to low blood pressure apparently as a side effect of the

epidural. So once that was removed, I was able to maintain blood

pressure enough to walk again.

I lunched out today with my husband, who has been so great and

supportive, taking over cooking most meals, fetching ice packs, and

being my cautious cheer leader. I use a walker mostly at home, but

can walk a little unassisted or with a cane, but due to pets, feel

more secure with walker around the knees. Yes, my lab puppy jumped

right on me after arriving home from hospital. She missed me,

literally, (my incision by about 4 inches.)

Do your research, ask lots of questions, be as informed as

possible. Best of luck with what ever your decision is!

Betty

Thousand Oaks, CA

[Guest guest]

I had bilateral TKA December 14th. I am a 60 year old working male

professor. I decided to have both knees done at the same time even

though I probably had a year or two left on the left knee simply because

it was going to be hard enough to get 6 weeks off of a university

academic schedule once, and too difficult to try to do it twice. My knee

problems were due to osteoarthritis (two old automobile head on

collisions (neither one my fault, just bad luck)) and I had no cartilage

in my right knee and very little in my left knee. The right knee was

causing me to limp badly, and was the prime reason to have the knee

done. I am married and my wife has been a crucial partner in this whole

thing.

My experience has been that the hospital and surgeon did not

prepare me well for post-hospital disharge return to the house (although

I got some information and help). Some of my biggest problems were the

following

The biggest early problem with bilateral TKA is that you obviously

cannot move yourself from a sitting position to a standing position

using only your knees. There has to be other help. Initially in the

hospital, this was accomplished by one of the staff putting a " Gait

Belt " around your chest and them pulling on the Gait Belt to get you

erect. Then as I got better, if your butt is sufficiently high (raising

the bed, being on an elevated chair, you could begin to work your stiff

and inflexible knees and feet under you enough that you could sort of

push yourself up to a standing position with your hands. Walking was

relatively little problem after the first couple of days, but getting up

and down was THE problem. I was sent home with a " potty chair " that

elevates you above a standard toilette enough that you get that height

advantage and using your walker or cane early, you can get erect. I

consider it a critical device early at home. However, although I live

in a big house with lots of very nice furniture, there were no chairs in

my den, and none in my living room that I could get down into and back

out of unassisted. The critical issue for me on sitting was do the

chairs have arms that extend out to the end of the seat cushion? Since

you need your arms to raise yourself up out of a chair (because the

knees initially can't do the work (lifting your butt)), the arms have to

extend to the end of the cushion so I could do that part with my upper

arms. I had some old padded office waiting room chairs in storage that

had arms out to the end of the cushion, and I sat in them a lot. I also

rented (at my own expense) a wheel chair that I could get into and out

of and move around the house that had good arms. It was a good

investment. If I knew then what I know now, I would have looked for and

purchased a recliner chair with the key feature of arms to the end of

the seat cushion. You may differ, but 8 weeks out and I still need to

push myself up fully with my arms out of the chair, then make a step

back with one or the other leg before I am vertical enough that I am

standing unsupported.

I would also have had two bars (handicap bars) installed in my main

bathroom, one on each side of the toilette, which I could use for the

same purpose as the arms on the chairs. If I had my wits about it, they

sell them at Lowes or Home Depot and I would have installed them myself.

They must be bolted into studs so that they simply do not pull out when

weight is put on them.

As I said, I am happily married and my spouse has been instrumental in

my early recovery. I was in the hospital for 4 days and then transferred

to a rehab wing of the same hospital chain for 6 days following surgery.

I was willing to do the in-patient rehab for 6 days because I did not

feel that I could handle the house and basic issues like getting up and

down without relying more on her to help me than I wanted to help.

Although I was fine with her helping me, I did not expect her to try to

grab the Gait Belt and hoist me up out of a chair and after 4 days in

the hospital, that would have been the case. Others can share their

experience and everyone is different, but if I was living alone, the

first 3 or 4 weeks at home would have been very rough indeed. Getting up

and down was a real effort and she was able to help in a lot of the

basic things that just happen... you need a drink and its hard and time

consuming to do it yourself. My reading of the literature said that it

was very important to have friends or family who were committed to

really being on site if you were single and living alone for the first

two or three weeks back home.

I started three mornings a week out-patient rehab as soon as I got out

of the inpatient rehab. That has been helpful. I continue with that out

patient rehab. I am 8 weeks of surgery and walking without a walker or

cane and my walking is much improved.

A major concern is range of motion. I am 0 ~105 in my left knee but

only about 0-85 inthe right knee. My right knee is still more swollen

than the left and I am hoping that the range of motion improves with

time and reduction in swelling. My physical therapist is now working

with me individually to try to increase ROM of the right knee. My

surgeon feels that it is due to the build up of scar tissue in the right

knee. I have tried to work on that all of the time, and my ROM was at or

better than 90 degrees when discharged from the hospital, but it was

beginning to back-slide until I complained about it to the rehab people

and we are now working on it more.

I have seen quite a few bilateral TKAs who were male. I have seen no

female bilateral TKAs in outpatient rehab. I see no reason that you

should avoid the bilateral if you have enough support at home. Plan your

house for what you need before you have it done and be sure that they

prescribe things like an elevated potty chair to go over the commode at

home and I also had a bench that went in my shower that I could sit on

while showering (taking a bath is going to be something that I would not

have wanted to try to do....even today) and a sturdy " Big Wheel " walker

(IF you have deep pile carpet in your house). The walker and potty chair

were paid for by my insurance. I paid about $200 for the shower bench.

All were very important to me. All that stuff was decided and

" prescribed " by the physician before discharge from the hospital and

delivered to the house. I rented a wheel chair at my expense because the

physician would not prescribe it but I needed an easy way to move around

the kitchen and breakfast room without getting up and down each time I

needed something). My aunt and uncle have both had knee replacements and

their doc prescribed nothing for them, and both of them struggled with

these types of simple tasks their whole recuperation.

These are obviously my own observations and may not be typical of

others, however, the doc and rehab people say that I am doing " great "

for being 8 weeks out of surgery. I am doing full days and half days at

work and handling them just fine.

Hope that helps you.

> >

> > My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at

the

> > same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has

> > anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get

> > around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

> > Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see

> > the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to

do

> > it.

> >

>

> I am 3 weeks post-op bilateral tkr. First few days were the roughest,

> but I can see improvement every day now. I am taking some pain

> medication, but much less than one week ago

> I was in hosp 6 days, approx. 4 ½ hours of surgery. Spinal

analgesic

> really kept me comfortable first few days. Ride home was a little

> tricky, figured on a belt hung from the handle above the rear seat of

> the car to help pull your self in and out of car seat. I have full

> extension and approx 116 degrees of flexion. I was able to get in and

> out of toilet area on my own at home , with raised commode seat with

> arms. First few days I was not allowed to shower, but soon was able

> to shower easily with added suction cup handles added to shower wall

> as I step in and out.

> I don’t consider myself extremely pain tolerant or brave, but I

> did not think I wanted to have to wait to be able to walk

> non-knock-kneed. My back and hips and ankles did not like the way I

> was having to walk.

> I checked out the advice of a number of surgeons and am in

> otherwise good health. Then I asked a number of doctors who they would

> send their family member to for this surgery. That was who I decided

> on. My surgeon offers a pre-op class which was very helpful.

> I donated 3 units of my own blood, which was given back to me

> within the first couple days. I did have a little trouble getting

> walking due to low blood pressure apparently as a side effect of the

> epidural. So once that was removed, I was able to maintain blood

> pressure enough to walk again.

> I lunched out today with my husband, who has been so great and

> supportive, taking over cooking most meals, fetching ice packs, and

> being my cautious cheer leader. I use a walker mostly at home, but

> can walk a little unassisted or with a cane, but due to pets, feel

> more secure with walker around the knees. Yes, my lab puppy jumped

> right on me after arriving home from hospital. She missed me,

> literally, (my incision by about 4 inches.)

> Do your research, ask lots of questions, be as informed as

> possible. Best of luck with what ever your decision is!

>

> Betty

> Thousand Oaks, CA

>

[Guest guest]

Eileen:This is a late response, and I am sure that there is wide variability, but I have had very little PAIN in my bilateral TKA. Pain has really not been a major issue. The knees are stiff and there is stiffness and soreness, but very little real pain. I was prescribed sleeping pills at night both while in the hospital and after discharge and I have never used one (I think they cause more problems that they cure most times....) and I was prescribed as much Lor-Tab as I wanted. I used the Lor-Tab once or twice at night while at home, as my I would wake up and my knees would be "Sore". I would take a Lor-tab not because the soreness was a problem, but because I thought that the soreness would make it more

difficult (take a longer time) to fall back to sleep. However, I have never needed to use pain pills of any sort during the daytime. Again, there is soreness (actually, some of the worst is after out patient physical therapy later in the day), but I have very little pain.

And there is no pain in walking. There is stiffness in the joint produced (I believe) by swelling in the knee at this point, but it is not what I would describe as pain. Again, others may have different experience, and I won't say this has been painless, but it has been a lot less pain than I was worried about apriori. Once I am vertical, moving around the house was not a big problem and gradually got easy. I am now walking unassisted 8 weeks post surgery.

Re: Re: Double knee replacement

Hi Kathy,

I hope you are getting better each day. What you are saying is exactly what I'm afraid of, not being able to get around. It's a big decision I have to make and I have to give it a lot of thought. I'm afraid that with the intense pain in both knees I won't want to walk at all. I probably won't have it done until the summer so I have a lot of time to get many opinions on the subject. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

Eileen

Kathy <biloxikat (DOT) com> wrote:

I am currently 3 weeks post op from having my right knee replaced. I honestly couldn't imagine having both done at the same time. It's hard enough to get around with one bum leg but both! That's not to say it can't be done. I've heard of lots of people that do it. But for me one at a time is fine with me. I guess either way has its advantages and disadvantages.>> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at the > same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has > anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get > around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

> Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see > the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do > it.>

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:

Very good and complete report. I am one year and two months on a

LTKR, so I can't speak to the double issues. Even for me getting up

from a low seat was difficult because I had polio in my right leg so

it could not provide the lift. As a result I have fair upper body

strength. I have mentioned in the past to get as strong as you can

before surgery (hip or knee). I estimate that my recovery was a week

or so ahead of schedule because of that.

As far as the wheel chair. I am not saying you were wrong in getting

it but I believe the general consensus is that the more you work at

getting around the stronger you get. The chair may have something to

do with the limited motion in you right knee. You know they can

manipulate the joint under sedation if they need to. Some people grow

scar tissue quickly, kind of a defense mechanism that the body does

that is counter productive. Hope you get that motion soon. It only

gets better. Sometimes I go for most of the day with thinking of the

new knee.

Don

[Guest guest]

WOW , thank you so much. That helps me a lot in making a decision. I think I have decided to get them both done at once but it probably won't be until sometime this summer. I'm so tired of not wanting to go anywhere because it hurts to much to walk very far. I want to get some sort of life back. Thanks again, Eileen <w5fi@...> wrote: Eileen:This is a late response, and I am sure that there is wide variability, but I have had very little PAIN in my bilateral TKA. Pain has really not been a major issue. The knees are stiff and there is stiffness and soreness, but very little real pain. I was prescribed sleeping pills at night both while in the hospital and after discharge and I have never used one (I think they cause more problems that they cure most times....) and I was prescribed as much Lor-Tab as I wanted. I used the Lor-Tab once or twice at night while at home, as my I would wake up and my knees would be "Sore". I would take a Lor-tab not because the soreness was a problem, but because I thought that the soreness would make it more difficult (take a longer time) to fall back to sleep. However, I have never needed to use pain pills of any sort during the daytime. Again, there is soreness

(actually, some of the worst is after out patient physical therapy later in the day), but I have very little pain. And there is no pain in walking. There is stiffness in the joint produced (I believe) by swelling in the knee at this point, but it is not what I would describe as pain. Again, others may have different experience, and I won't say this has been painless, but it has been a lot less pain than I was worried about apriori. Once I am vertical, moving around the house was not a big problem and gradually got easy. I am now walking unassisted 8 weeks post surgery. Re: Re: Double knee replacement Hi Kathy, I hope you are getting better each day. What you are saying is exactly what I'm afraid of, not

being able to get around. It's a big decision I have to make and I have to give it a lot of thought. I'm afraid that with the intense pain in both knees I won't want to walk at all. I probably won't have it done until the summer so I have a lot of time to get many opinions on the subject. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. Eileen Kathy <biloxikat (DOT) com> wrote: I am currently 3 weeks post op from having my right knee replaced. I honestly couldn't imagine having both done at the same time. It's hard enough to get around with one bum leg but both! That's not to say it can't be done. I've heard of lots of people that do it. But for me one at a time is fine with me. I guess either way has its advantages and disadvantages.>> My doctor has recommended that I have both of my knees replaced at the > same time so I only have to go through the whole process once. Has > anyone here had both knees replaced at the same time? How do you get > around post surgery? How long did you have to stay in the hospital? > Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I see > the doctor's point of view but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do > it.> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

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Don:

Appreciate our comments and congrats on your knee!

I had read recommendations on developing upper body strength fromt his list, but really did not know how that operationalized in real terms. For me, that would now clearly mean, develop my ability to extend my arms from a cocked position to a fully straight position using the arms of a chair, which basically means that I can raise my bottom up off the chair a good additional 7 to 12 inches which is just enough for me to get my feet under me enough to then stand up. I think that is my triceps that are doing all that work.

On your comments on the wheel chair, I know what you mean. I asked the rehab unit doc in the hospital about a wheel chair (since you used one all the time there) and he said that was not commonly done for a bilateral TKA. I considered his opinion, and who knows in retrospect. I did have to walk for most of my activity in the house since the house has deep pile carpets and it was pretty hard to work the wheelchair in the carpet and this house, like most, really is not designed for wheelchairs and it is impossible to make turns around corners in hallways sitting in a wheelchair. Where I used it was in the kitchen and breakfast room area which are tiled. It saved me from having to get up to a standing position just to get some sugar for my coffee or a spoon or every other one of the thousand things that you need just to eat a meal or drink coffee. It gave me some mobility with less effort. Now, is that the right strategy, I am not

sure, but for me, it was worth the money spent to have that freedom in the kitchen. It was also one of the few chairs that had arms that extended far enough for me to be able to raise myself up to standing. Others will need to determine that for themselves.

I look forward to making progress over the next year or so. I already walk much better than I did before the operation, and I know that I am going to be happy that I had them done when I did.

Re: Double knee replacement

:Very good and complete report. I am one year and two months on aLTKR, so I can't speak to the double issues. Even for me getting upfrom a low seat was difficult because I had polio in my right leg soit could not provide the lift. As a result I have fair upper bodystrength. I have mentioned in the past to get as strong as you canbefore surgery (hip or knee). I estimate that my recovery was a weekor so ahead of schedule because of that.As far as the wheel chair. I am not saying you were wrong in gettingit but I believe the general consensus is that the more you work atgetting around the stronger you get. The chair may have something todo with the limited motion in you right knee. You know they canmanipulate the joint under sedation if they need to. Some people growscar tissue quickly, kind of a defense mechanism that the body doesthat is counter productive. Hope you get that motion

soon. It onlygets better. Sometimes I go for most of the day with thinking of thenew knee.Don

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[Guest guest]

I had bilateral TKR July of 2009. Mine weren't done the same day....one was

done on a Thursday, the other on a Monday. I stayed in the hospital a week.

When a client needs both done, and there aren't any indications against doing

both in one hospitalization, then my surgeon proceeds. In my case, I was a good

candidate for getting both done in one hospitalization. My surgeon does not

operate on both in one day, preferring instead to do one, wait three days

(standard amount of time a patient would be in the hospital with one TKR), and

then do the other. I had a set of the worst knees he'd ever seen, or so he told

my husband and parents when he came out of the OR to talk with them.

For me, I am glad I did it the way I did. It decreased the number of

hospitalizations I had from two to one and decreased the number of in-patient

rehab stays from two to one. I had a longer than normal recuperation time than

is typical, but that is because my knees had been in such bad shape prior to

surgery that it took longer to recuperate. I was off work 5 1/2 months. My

surgeon would of released me to return on light duty or part-time at 4 1/2

months, but my employer refused, so I was off an additional month. Part of the

reason I was off so long was because of the contractures I'd had prior to

surgery. One knee was bent at 45 degrees, the other at 25 degrees so I had to

work longer at straightening/strengthening the muscles,etc. I also have a

co-occuring case of lymphadema in my legs,not related to the arthritis which

slowed recuperation down. Remember: my recuperation is not the norm, but even

if I didn't have the other stuff going on, I'm glad I did both at the same time.

If you have any questions, i'd be happy to answer.

>

> Is anyone out there who had both knees done at once recently?

>

> I'm scheduled to get one done in Dec, but both are bone on bone. The surgeon

said he would do both if I want it but I couldn't imagine doing that. Now I'm

wondering if with all of the improvements in surgery it might not be so bad.

>

> Any thoughts appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info . I hadn't even considered a recovery time of longer

than 6 weeks. I was glad to see you say that your time wasn't normal. It

sounds like you had a rough time, I'm glad that things are good now.

Eleanor

> >

> > Is anyone out there who had both knees done at once recently?

> >

> > I'm scheduled to get one done in Dec, but both are bone on bone. The

surgeon said he would do both if I want it but I couldn't imagine doing that.

Now I'm wondering if with all of the improvements in surgery it might not be so

bad.

> >

> > Any thoughts appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Did y'all have walkers after your surgery? How long did you have to use

them? I am having TKR next Tuesday and I am dreading it.

fear comes from the enemy, dont give him any glory!

-- Re: Double knee replacement

Thanks for the info . I hadn't even considered a recovery time of

longer than 6 weeks. I was glad to see you say that your time wasn't normal.

It sounds like you had a rough time, I'm glad that things are good now.

Eleanor

> >

> > Is anyone out there who had both knees done at once recently?

> >

> > I'm scheduled to get one done in Dec, but both are bone on bone. The

surgeon said he would do both if I want it but I couldn't imagine doing that

Now I'm wondering if with all of the improvements in surgery it might not

be so bad.

> >

> > Any thoughts appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I had a walker for about 2 weeks after my hip replacement, but I found it

really hard as I have had both shoulders done also, and they didn't like it.

I think its only for as long as you need it personally, I don't think there

is magic number for people just whatever feels comfortable for you., you

might want to check with his surgery.

When I had my knee done many moons ago I was on crutches for 6 weeks, but

its nothing like this now.

-- Re: Double knee replacement

Thanks for the info . I hadn't even considered a recovery time of

longer than 6 weeks. I was glad to see you say that your time wasn't normal.

It sounds like you had a rough time, I'm glad that things are good now.

Eleanor

> >

> > Is anyone out there who had both knees done at once recently?

> >

> > I'm scheduled to get one done in Dec, but both are bone on bone. The

surgeon said he would do both if I want it but I couldn't imagine doing that

Now I'm wondering if with all of the improvements in surgery it might not

be so bad.

> >

> > Any thoughts appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Yes my first time up the day after TKR surgery was with a walker and for my

first 10 days i used a walker adjusted to my height and size but soon changed

to something that I was familiar with called forearm crutches or wrist canes.

I felt they had less limitations on me and that they were an advancement (not a

slide back) over that walker in that they enabled me to simulate more of my

former years longer gait and stride pattern. Especially while I am walking

outside the home. That is, until I am said to qualify to safely advance to

using either two canes or one or two " sticks " or only one cane or no

assistive ambulattion device at all. Whichever happens to be the case for me.

L

RT THR 16 mos ago, RT TKR 6 weeks ago.

> > >

> > > Is anyone out there who had both knees done at once recently?

> > >

> > > I'm scheduled to get one done in Dec, but both are bone on bone. The

> surgeon said he would do both if I want it but I couldn't imagine doing that

> Now I'm wondering if with all of the improvements in surgery it might not

> be so bad.

> > >

> > > Any thoughts appreciated.

> > >

> >

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