Before your operation

• People in the Greater Toronto Area who are having a single first knee replacement can expect a pre-admission visit from their local Community Care Access Centre to discuss how to plan for surgery and rehabilitation. This may not happen if you are preparing for bilateral knee surgery, so it's a good idea to review the section on Preparing For Your Surgery.
  
  
• Along with other assistive devices mentioned on the website, chances are you will also need two crutches and/or two canes to help you get around during your recovery. These will probably be supplied once you're in hospital, but check with your surgeon.

Planning for your recovery

• People who have bilateral knee replacement surgery may need to spend time in a rehabilitation hospital after being discharged from the acute-care hospital.
  
  
• You should allow for at least six weeks off from work after bilateral knee replacement surgery, depending on the physical demands of your workplace.
  
  
• Expect that it will take at least six weeks – and possibly longer – before you can start driving your car again.

While you're in hospital

• The in-hospital recovery time for people undergoing bilateral knee surgery is somewhat longer than it is for those having surgery on one knee only.
  
  
• You may need to wear special "knee immobilizers" during the first 24 hours after your surgery to protect the new joints.
  
  
• Your therapists will teach you some exercises that can be done while you're lying in bed. They will also show you how to protect your new knee joints during normal activities by not moving them too much or too far before it's safe to do so. The precautions needed after bilateral knee surgery are the same as they are for a single joint replacement, unless your surgeon or physiotherapist tells you otherwise. See How to protect your new joint.
  
  
• Before you do any of the Bed exercises after knee replacement surgery described and shown on this website, be sure to check with your doctor or physiotherapist.

During your recovery

• The risk for a post-operative blood clot tends to be slightly higher for people undergoing bilateral knee replacement surgery than it is for those having surgery on just one knee. You should be aware of the signs and symptoms so you can report them to your doctor if they occur. See Preventing Blood Clots.

Getting back to normal

• People who have both knees replaced at the same time often take longer to recover than those having surgery on just one knee. You may need to spend some time in a rehabilitation hospital setting where you will receive therapy.
  
  
• You should follow the precautions listed in this website for at least three months unless your doctor tells you otherwise. See How to protect your new joint.
  
  
• You should expect to have regular follow-up visits with your surgeon to check on how well you're doing following your bilateral knee replacement surgery. After the first year of regular follow-up, your surgeon may recommend that you come in for a check-up visit once a year.