Key Takeaways
- Bilateral knee replacement, the surgical process of replacing both knee joints with prosthetic components, is usually performed in stages to facilitate a safe recovery with fewer interruptions to daily activities.
- Most patients wait between 3 and 12 months between knee replacement surgeries; however, the length of time between surgeries can vary depending on factors like overall health and surgeon recommendations.
- If you wait too long between surgeries, you may be forced to overcompensate with one knee, potentially causing bodily imbalances. Plus, you may experience unnecessarily long periods of pain and limited mobility.
- In between surgeries, focus on physical therapy and pain management to make the experience as comfortable as possible. You should also build a support system of family, friends, and caregivers.
Understanding the Appropriate Wait Time Between Knee Replacements
If you are considering bilateral knee replacement surgery, in which artificial joint components are added to both knees, it can be challenging to know how long you should wait between knee replacements. Various factors, including your physical therapy regimen and overall health, can determine the proper timing.
Typically, patients space out surgeries anywhere from a few months to a year apart, but some healthy individuals who recover quickly may opt for a shorter timeline. On the other hand, delays may occur if there are complications or a slower-than-average recovery experience. However, if you wait too long, you may experience additional complications from uneven gait.
Too many factors are at play to give a one-size-fits-all answer to “How long should you wait between knee replacement surgeries?” Nevertheless, reading through the considerations below can help you tailor your expectations. Still, you should consult your medical provider; they can provide scheduling recommendations based on your unique situation and instruct you on how to prepare for knee replacement surgery.
What Are Bilateral Knee Replacements?
A bilateral knee replacement is a two-part medical procedure in which a surgeon exchanges both knees for prosthetic components to restore joint function. If the bilateral surgery requires total knee replacements, both of the knees will be removed in their entirety and replaced with an artificial joint. However, only the diseased or defective portion of the knee joint needs to be removed for a partial knee replacement.
Sometimes, both knees are replaced simultaneously in one sitting to minimize the use of anesthesia and condense the recovery time. However, this can put additional strain on the legs and increase the risk of complications. This is why it is more popular to stage the surgeries, spacing them several months apart to allow the first leg to heal substantially.
Benefits of Staging Knee Replacements
The two most noteworthy advantages you may experience if you stage the surgeries of your bilateral knee replacement treatment are:
- Safer recovery – By ensuring you always have at least one out-of-recovery knee to rely on, you can compensate for the temporarily stunted abilities of the healing knee, reducing the risk of overexertion and injury.
- Improved long-term outcomes – Staging surgeries can provide better balance, mobility, and strength in the long term.
Due to these benefits, most people opt for staged knee replacements, but you should contact your medical provider and ask which surgery is best for your specific situation.
At The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, we combine compassionate care with state-of-the-art technology to provide you with the best possible outcome for total and partial knee replacements.Advanced Methods for the Best Results
Factors Influencing Timing Between Staged Knee Replacements
The following factors should be taken into consideration when determining how long you should wait between knee replacements.
Overall Health
If you have pre-existing conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, your body may require additional recovery time. Your surgeon should consider your overall health before scheduling your surgeries to guarantee you are signed up for safely timed appointments.
Recovery from the First Surgery
Before you go into your second stage of the surgery, you will likely have a substantial amount of strength, mobility, and balance in the first knee. This is crucial because regaining sufficient function helps reduce strain on the unreplaced knee during everyday tasks like walking around the house.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
A joint specialist will likely consider your progress in physical therapy since it is a key indicator of readiness for the second surgery. They should assess how comfortable you are doing weight-bearing exercises and gauge how well you can hold your balance. The early recovery stage may be physically challenging, but thankfully, progressing far into physical therapy can ensure your body is ready.
Surgeon Recommendations
Ultimately, what matters most is your surgeon’s tailored recommendations—they will have first-hand insight into your condition and the demands of your surgeries. For example, recovery times can vary depending on whether you are receiving minimally invasive vs. traditional knee replacement surgery.
Typical Wait Times Between Staged Replacements
Generally, most patients wait between 3 and 12 months between surgeries. However, individuals with strong health and quick recovery may be offered a shorter wait time in some circumstances. Alternatively, delays may occur due to slower-than-average recovery processes or personal circumstances.
It can feel like a double-edged sword because rushing into the second surgery can compromise recovery while waiting too long can cause overcompensation injuries and reduce your overall quality of life. Nevertheless, communicate openly with your medical provider, letting them know your progress or road bumps. They can look for signs that you are ready for knee replacement surgery and schedule accordingly.
Risks of Waiting Too Long
The two most notable dangers of delaying knee surgery are:
- Uneven gait or injury – Having to overcompensate with your opposite knee for an extended period of time can generate strain, injuries, or imbalanced, uncomfortable steps.
- Reduced quality of life – By delaying medical attention to the un-operated knee, you may be subjecting yourself to an unnecessarily long period of pain and mobility restrictions that hinder your quality of life.
Working with a knowledgeable joint specialist to determine the most appropriate time frame can ensure that both knees recover optimally while minimizing risks.
Tips for Managing the Time Between Surgeries
After scheduling your follow-up surgery, you should prepare and concentrate on your initial recovery. Some tips for making the most of your time between surgeries include:
- Attend physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve joint function
- Manage pain by using prescribed medication and supportive braces
- Use elevation and cold compressions to reduce swelling after knee surgery.
- Build a support system of family, friends, and caregivers.
Implementing the tips above can facilitate your first healing stage and prepare your body for what’s to come.
Find the Most Optimal Schedule For Your Bilateral Knee Replacements
Deciding how long you should wait between knee replacements depends on various factors, including your current recovery progress from the first stage of your bilateral knee replacement. That said, most patients can do the final leg of their bilateral knee replacement 3 to 12 months after their first one unless there are delays due to recovery complications or personal circumstances. You should contact a medical provider for tailored advice.
Choosing the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale is the best way to ensure your bilateral knee replacement surgery is as smooth and efficient as possible. We provide top-of-the-line, minimally invasive surgeries using Mako SmartRobotics that can minimize downtime between surgery stages. We also offer comprehensive care instructions and scheduling guidance to help you figure out how long you should wait between knee replacement surgeries.
Contact the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale for an initial consultation to discuss how our services can help you return to some of your favorite activities as soon as possible.
