I am a 45 year old female. For several years, I have suffered from Grade IV osteoarthritis in both knees, as revealed by MRIs and CAT scans that were done in June 2006. My initial problems were primarily in my left knee. After several unsuccessful attempts at treatment (i.e. PT, Synvisc injections, steroid injections, medication), I ended up having what I would describe as an ENORMOUSLY successful arthroscopy on my left knee in January 2007, which for a long time left me ALMOST completely pain free! I won’t go into exactly what was found/done during the procedure itself, since I don’t think that is actually relevant to my real questions described below. My doctor did warn me at the time, however, that, in his experience, I “would be back in a few years”, either needing to repeat the procedure on the same knee, or needing it done on my right one.

Over the last 6-8 months, I have been developing increasingly bad problems again, this time with BOTH of my knees, and thus far, all treatment options (basically the same ones tried before) have failed. Therefore, I am planning to consult with my orthopedist on having another arthroscopy done, this time on BOTH knees at the same time. My questions are not really about the potential overall benefits/drawbacks of the surgery itself, since it was so successful last time, and I have plenty of information on that both from prior experience and other sources.

However, I WOULD love to hear from anyone in the medical profession or anyone who has HAD a bilateral knee arthroscopy with any comments you'd like to offer/share. I am, however, particularly interested in anyone who can offer opinions or answers with regard to the specific questions below.

If you are a medical professional :

Specifically with regard to having both rather than only one knee done, what are the basic pros and cons, including any additional potential risks/benefits of having BOTH knees done at the same time rather than only one?

How common and/or advisable is it to have this done in comparison with having only one knee done?

Generally speaking, does the fact that you are having both knees done (as opposed to only one) in and of itself substantially affect the chance for a “successful” outcome on either knee, particularly since you don't have the advantage of having one "untouched" knee to work with/use/lean on, etc., after the procedure during recovery (I hesitate to use the term "good knee", since that doesn't really apply in my case)?

Post-surgery, I will have a rather substantial flight of stairs (about 13 or so?) to climb to get to my apartment. Would it still be possible for me to have surgery on both knees at the same time and do this, with assistance (but without being carried, obviously)? Please note that I did NOT have any trouble at all climbing them when I had only one knee done, but I DID have my other knee for “help” that time, obviously.

For other patients/arthritis suffers , I’d love to hear from you as well if you had a bilateral knee arthroscopy, particularly with regard to:

Comments on your overall experience/success rate on both knees

Whether you feel having both knees done at the same time substantially affected, positively or negatively, your recovery period or your overall results with either one or both knees, over time

If you had it to do again, would you (i.e. would you have BOTH knees done at the same time again), and why?

Thanks so much in advance to all who respond.