It’s not uncommon for a person’s knee joints to wear down in an uneven fashion, meaning that one joint may reach the point where replacement surgery is the best option while the other knee is still in pretty good shape. However, years or even decades down the road, you may find that your other knee is starting to bother you, and a consultation suggests that having your other knee replaced may be in your best interest. You may assume that you know everything about the procedure since you’ve already undergone the operation, but there are a couple things you’ll want to keep in mind. In today’s blog, we spotlight some of the things you’ll want to know if you’re having your other knee replaced.
Getting Your Other Knee Replaced
For starters, you’re in a better position to have a successful operation and recovery than someone who is undergoing knee replacement surgery for the first time, simply because you have some experience under your belt. The operation and recovery will be largely similar, but there are some points we reiterate with all of our patients who are considering having their other knee replaced. Here’s what you should know:
- The Waiting Period – If both your knees are in bad shape, it’s certainly possible that you could undergo a bilateral knee replacement procedure where both knee joints are replaced at the same time. We’ve already outlined some of the benefits and drawbacks of having both knees replaced at the same time in this blog. However, if you decide to have one knee done and then have the other done at a later date, it’s typically advised that you wait at least six weeks so that you can make some solid progress in your recovery from your first operation. That said, most people give themselves even more time and wait at least three months before having the second knee replaced, but the choice is up to you and your knee surgeon.
- Rehab May Be Different – Your rehab will likely look a little different than your first rehab stint, but overall they will remain largely similar. Even if you end up at the same physical therapy clinic with the same PT, they’ll be conducting an individualized assessment every time you come to the clinic to determine your strengths, deficits and how to best push you to achieve your rehab goals. We still highly recommend working with a professional rehab team after your second surgery instead of going through all your exercises on your own, because you will face unique challenges with your second recovery that are best addressed with a professional by your side. Your previous experience will still prove highly beneficial as you fall into a rehab routine once again.
- Seasonal Challenges – You’ll also want to consider how the timing of your second procedure impacts your recovery. For example, if you had your first knee replaced in the summer and are undergoing your second procedure in the winter, you may find it much harder to get around on snow and ice this time around. Different seasons present new challenges or reasons why it’s the right time to undergo surgery, so don’t just book the operation whenever your surgeon is available. Put some thought into your upcoming schedule and how your timing may impact how you recover following the operation.
- Talk With Your Surgeon About What Worked, What Didn’t – It’s wise to have a conversation with your surgeon about what worked and what could have been improved with your first operation. For example, perhaps pain could have been managed more optimally after your first surgery, or you found it difficult to care for your incision site during the early stages of recovery. Bring up these issues to your doctor so that you can tweak different processes or approach surgery and recovery slightly differently so that it’s smoother this time around.
- Consider What You Would Have Done Differently – Finally, ask yourself what you would have done differently the first time around. This is why we oftentimes tell patients to keep a recovery journal after surgery so they can record different aspects of their rehab. It’s especially helpful if you are at all considering having your other knee replaced down the road. Would you have prepared more meals ahead of time? Would you have brought more work home? Would you have arraigned transportation differently? Think back to your first recovery and consider what you would have done differently given the chance.
If you’re considering having one or both knees replaced this year, let’s have a conversation. Reach out to Dr. Botero to learn more about his process and how he can help restore function in your knees. For more information, contact his office today at (865) 558-4444.
