“2-in-1” Knee Arthroplasty:
Optimized Recovery Duration

Mr. Nguyen N (60 years old, HCMC) suffered from bilateral knee osteoarthritis, with severe pain attacks significantly affecting his daily life. The pain initially appeared only in the left knee and gradually spread to the right knee with increasing frequency and severity over the course of a year. He visited many reputable healthcare facilities in HCMC and decided to choose Sante Hospital for his treatment and surgery.

In recent years, knee joint problems have significantly affected Mr. N's daily work as well as his passion for sports. He was previously treated with conservative methods, which showed initial improvement, but recently the pain has not subsided and has even worsened. This is the reason that led him to decide to undergo knee replacement surgery, as this is the optimal method for his condition.

Following clinical examination and diagnostic evaluations, Dr. Tang Ha Nam Anh, MD, PhD, and the medical team conducted a clinical consultation and concluded that Mr. N's condition was indicated for simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

One of the critical factors contributing to the success of this surgery is multimodal analgesia, including regional anesthesia, local infiltration, intravenous and oral analgesics, physical therapy modalities such as cold compression, electrotherapy, leg elevation, and psychological support,… Because the patient experiences no postoperative pain, early ambulation is possible. Early postoperative rehabilitation accelerates recovery and mitigates the risk of complications associated with prolonged bed rest, such as blood clots and pressure ulcers…

Patients can begin gait training as early as the first postoperative day. By the third day, the patient is pain-free, ambulates independently without support, presents with a nearly normalized gait, perceives knee joint stability, and is capable of near-full extension and knee flexion up to 90 degrees…

Furthermore, early and appropriate mobilization yields positive outcomes and accelerates functional rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty, restoring mobility. Physiotherapy exercises emphasize muscle strengthening and range of motion. Concurrently, patients are instructed on the proper use of assistive ambulatory devices such as walkers, canes, or crutches. Over time, the rehabilitation protocol will require progressive weight-bearing until unassisted ambulation is achieved.

Currently, with a team of highly specialized physicians and state-of-the-art facilities at Sante Hospital, performing complex surgical interventions such as simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty has become routine, ensuring both professional service quality and optimal clinical efficacy. Therefore, when joint pain occurs—particularly in multiple joints concurrently—patients should seek early medical evaluation for timely management and prevention of dangerous complications.