Weighing Options for Replacing Two Knees

Having two knees replaced at once may be a good option compared with two operations a few months apart, a study finds. Researchers studied two groups, about 35,000 patients in all. One-third of them had both knees replaced in the same procedure. The others had one knee replaced at a time. There were several months between procedures. Researchers kept track of both groups for a year. In the group that had one surgery, fewer infections occurred. There were also fewer problems that required a second surgery. This group did have a higher risk of heart attack or a blood clot in the lungs, however. Researchers said more study is needed to find out who would fare best with each approach. Study results were presented February 17 at a conference.