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Offering Bilateral Knee Replacement 

Bilateral knee replacement, or double knee replacement, is performed in one surgery or two procedures. When it’s done as one surgery, the procedure is called simultaneous bilateral knee replacement. If performed as two surgeries, it is called staged bilateral knee replacement.

If you or a loved one would like to learn more about this type of knee surgery, request a consultation today. 

Why Bilateral Knee Replacement is Performed

The most common reasons for knee replacement surgery is damage or injury to the knee joint. This may be caused by arthritis, which results in pain and stiffness, or by an injury, such as from playing sports or overuse. If pain and stiffness is occurring in both knees, it usually means the cartilage has worn down. A bilateral knee replacement replaces these damaged joints and relieves symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery if your knee pain is interfering with your daily routine and affecting your quality of life.

You may be a candidate for bilateral knee replacement if you are:

  • In good physical condition
  • Have good overall health
  • Are motivated to have physical therapy and rehabilitation after surgery

What to Expect from Bilateral Knee Replacement at UPMC

If you have a simultaneous bilateral knee replacement, your orthopedic surgeon will replace both of your knees at the same time. This procedure will take three to four hours to complete, and you’ll have general anesthesia and feel no pain. Since this surgery takes double the amount of time as staged bilateral knee surgery, heavier doses of anesthesia are required. If you have heart or lung disease, your doctor may recommend stages of bilateral knee surgery.

During staged bilateral knee replacement, your doctor replaces both knees with separate surgeries, performed a few months apart. Each surgery takes about two hours, and you’ll be given general anesthesia and feel no pain. Staged bilateral knee replacement allows the first knee to recover before the next is operated on.

For either procedure, you’ll have rehabilitation and physical therapy to help your recovery process. Full recovery can take up to 12 months, but may be shorter depending on your overall health and age.

Orthopedic surgeons at UPMC perform bilateral knee replacement in Williamsport and Wellsboro, PA to treat joint pain and knee injuries.