When patients learn that they need to have simultaneous hips or knees replacement surgery, they often have concerns and doubts about the safety or complications that may occur. So, acquiring proper understand about the procedure is essential in alleviating their apprehension, and to boost their confidence in the operation – that they will be ready to restore their quality of life once more.
Is there any risk in simultaneous hips or knees surgery?
Be it a hip or knee replacement surgery or simultaneous surgery, the patients will have to undergo a thorough physical checkup by a specialist before the procedure. Patients must receive medical clearance to be eligible for the operation.
Are there more complications in simultaneous hips or knees replacement surgery than an individual one?
Regardless of whether it is a unilateral or bilateral surgery, both have equally the same risks such as sepsis, blood clot, etc. For the bilateral procedure, 1 unit of blood is on standby in case the patient loses a lot of blood.
How long does it take to have simultaneous hips or knees surgery?
Usually, the unilateral surgery takes about 1 to 11/2 hours, while the bilateral procedure takes about 2 to 21/2 hour. In the case of a bilateral surgery, the surgeon can proceed to the other side more quickly, as there is an assistant who will apply suture and close the wound at the same time.
Is Rehabilitation Slower After A Bilateral Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Than A Unilateral One?
Rehabilitation of a bilateral hip or knee replacement surgery is 1 day longer than that of a unilateral one. Most patients can practice standing and walking from the first day after surgery. Bangkok International Hospital observed over 1,000 patients who had bilateral hip or knee replacement surgery and found that about 40% of these patients had about the same number of complications regardless of the operation.
Diseases and Conditions That Require Simultaneous Hip or Knee Surgery
For a patient with bowed legs due to osteoarthritis, after a unilateral surgery, the leg on the side that has undergone the procedure will be straighter and longer than the other one. This makes it difficult for the patient to walk. Moreover, many hips or knees disorders – such as osteoporosis, avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis or spinal arthritis – usually occurs on both sides and the progression timeline is mostly similar.
Hip and Knee Surgeon
Dr. Wallob Samranvedhya, Bone and Joint Surgeon Specializes in Hip and Knee, Hip and Knee Center, Bangkok International Center
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Hospital Specializing in Hip and Knee Surgery
At Bangkok International Hospital’s Hip and Knee Center we specialize in caring for patients who need hip or knee replacement. We are experienced in minimally invasive surgery technique that requires only small incisions, yielding less discomfort and enabling rapid recovery. We provide medical care from before to after the surgery, to prepare our patients for their next strides forward.