However, simultaneous replacement was associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes within 30 days of surgery. The study examined 11,445 patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral knee replacements and 23,715 patients who had both knees replaced in two stages several months apart.
In the study, patients who underwent simultaneous knee replacements had a higher risk of heart attack and pulmonary embolism, similar risk of dearth and stroke and a lower risk of major joint infection or major mechanical malfunction. The average age of patients was 67.2 years old in the simultaneous surgery group and 67.7 in the two-surgery group.
Read the AAOS release about simultaneous knee replacement.
Read other coverage on knee replacements:
– 10 Points on Personalized Knee Replacements
– Developing the Future: Biologic Knee Replacement
– Dr. Boyd Haynes: Q&A About Virginia’s First Outpatient Total Knee Replacement
