What is a "Simultaneous" Bilateral Total Knee Replacement (BTKR)?
In a simultaneous procedure both knees are replaced in one operation, on the same day under one anesthesia. This means that there is one hospitalization and one recovery period. Certain patients are at higher risk for medical complications if they undergo simultaneous bilateral knee replacement surgery. Your physician will discuss with you the relative merits and safety of simultaneous BTKR.
What is a "Staged" Bilateral Total Knee Replacement?
The staged procedure means that both knee replacements take place as two separate surgical events. Surgeries are planned to be performed several months apart one from the other, requiring two hospital stays, two episodes of anesthesia and two rehabilitation periods. The time between surgeries may vary depending upon your individual medical condition but most surgeons will want you to recover about 3 months from the firstsurgery before you undergo the second surgery.
Why would I need to get a BTKR?
The most common reason for a Bilateral Total Knee Replacement is severe arthritis that is causing pain and stiffness in both knees interfering with activities of daily living and significantly reducing one’s quality of life. Stiffness can be significant making simple tasks such as putting on your shoes and socks very difficult. Pain is usually worsened with weight bearing activities, such as standing and walking. Arthritis of the knee is a progressive condition that usually worsens with time.
The ideal candidate for a simultaneous total knee replacement would be a younger, healthier, non-obese individual with stiffness, pain, and limitation of activities that significantly reduces one’s quality of life.
Another reason to consider a simultaneous procedure is for those patients who have significant deformity of both knees. Correcting the deformity of both knees at the same time will allow the patient to walk straighter and facilitate rehabilitation.
