Can both knees or hips be replaced at the same time?

Yes, replacing both knees or both hips during the same operation is possible in selected patients. This is called simultaneous bilateral joint replacement. However, it is not suitable for everyone because operating on two major joints at the same time places greater demands on the body and usually makes the early recovery more challenging.

For bilateral knee replacement, many surgeons prefer to operate on one knee at a time because staged surgery may be safer for patients with certain medical conditions. Simultaneous replacement is generally considered only after careful evaluation of overall health, age, heart and lung function, mobility, and the severity of arthritis in both knees. Both hips can also be replaced during one surgical session in selected healthy patients. In other cases, replacing one hip first and the second later may be more appropriate.

The decision should be individual rather than based only on the fact that both joints are painful. Dr. Atul Mishra evaluates the severity of joint damage, medical fitness, anaesthesia risk, rehabilitation needs, and expected benefits before recommending simultaneous or staged replacement.