u/Zilenced80

41m 6’ 4” 245lbs former college football player.

I have had 4 knee surgeries (2 two on each, including a full ACL reconstruction) and I’ve been bone on bone since I was 31.

I knew this time would come, it would just be a matter of when. At 31 they said hold off until 35 if I could, and I am at my breaking point. I have 2 younger kids who are active, I coach football at the high school, and I can barely walk at the end of practice.

I had my surgical consult today after being told 2 weeks ago they can’t do anything other than joint replacement because I’ve tried everything else. Scopes, PRP, Cortisone shots, hyaluronic acid injections, PT, Red light therapy, CBD, etc etc etc…
My surgeon comes in - he’s younger than me - and says “You won the prize of the worst knees I’ve seen today”. Something about that was oddly comforting - I think I’ve just been too numb to being in pain for too long.

We talked at length about the procedures and my options. He said if I was willing he can do both at the same time to be done with it and start the rehab process. My other option is do one in October and another in February - not a bad option just one that resets my “healed” goalpost once it happens.

I’m looking for any advice from people that have had both done vs doing them one at a time. I’ve got no other underlying conditions - he said I’m a perfect candidate for both since I’m younger, stronger, etc.

As of now my tentative date is 10/7 - so the question he told me I have to answer when the scheduler calls in the next 24-48 hours is “One or Two”?