Simultaneous Bilateral Joint Arthroplasties in Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthrosis is the most common chronic joint condition, the aetiology of which is still not completely clear. Initial phases of disease are treated conservatively applying physical rehabilitation procedures and medications. Advanced stages need surgical treatment with numerous procedures, depending on the joint affected. Joint arthroplasties are procedure of choice, especially for big joints of the extremities. As osteoarthrosis occurs bilaterally very frequently, there are a growing number of patients in need for operation of both joints. Those procedures can be performed under single anaesthesia or staged procedure, with delay between two surgeries. There are many advantages and disadvantages of both approaches cited by different authors. There is consensus of authors in available articles regarding benefits of single-stage procedure: lower cost, shorter hospital stay, single rehabilitation period and better functional results. Authors disagree about safety of a single-stage bilateral procedure as well as incidence of complications and criteria for selection of patients for safe performing of simultaneous procedure.