I am a 61 year old RN, active, working. I had both knees replaced at the same time when I was 58. I could not walk anymore without my knees locking or excrutiating pain. We went to WDW before my surgery and I just was so upset, I decided we needed to sell our DVC membership. I couldn't walk, couldn't leave the room. Well, I had my knees replaced at the same time at the suggestion of the surgeon...big mistake. I have never had so much pain in my life. I would sooner have 10 kids natural childbirth than ever do that again. I cried for 3 months. The therapy is just so difficult due to pain. I didn't have one good leg, so just sitting on the commode was impossible. I would just plop down and cry...and then how do you get up when you can't bend one knee to get back up? Awful. I did the therapy, and hated the PT's. I thought they were so mean, but if I hadn't complied, I wouldn't be able to walk today. I can take a lot of pain, and have had several surgeries, but I would NEVER had a second knee done until I was completely healed...wait a year to have the second one done. I have taken care of patients all my life and never dreamed I would have a problem. HA. My daughter is an occupational therapist and she kept trying to talk me out of having the bilateral procedure...I should have listened. I returned to work after 2 months, but just 4 hours a day. I was really weak and tired, and didn't have a lot of stamina with my legs. I walked well and had great range of motion by 3 months and was discharged from therapy. I think it was probably 8 months after my surgery we went to Disney and I had no problem walking. I was amazed. I could walk miles and miles without pain. My knees are great, they hurt when the weather changes and get a little stiff, but nothing like I had pre op. So, that's my story. I know my younger cousin who is in his early 50's has had a lot of pain from his one knee replacement, and it is suggested that younger folks have a lot more pain than older folks. There is a lot of cutting of tissue, pulling of ligaments and that soft tissue injury is a killer pain. I noticed when I went to the rehab hospital for a week that I did nothing but cry during rehab, and the people in their 70's and above were all happy. I was in pain, and depressed because as a nurse, no one has ever had to wait on me. It is something I will never forget, an awful ordeal but at least in the end I can walk. I have never needed an
ECV, refuse to use one because I do not want to become dependent on one until I absolutely must. I will be 62 next month, and just had my cervical spine fused at C4/5, 5/6 levels due to severe arthritis. This was a piece of cake compared to the knees. If I can answer anything else, let me know. Oh, I do have trouble with rides like Small World and anything where you have to really bend your knees excessively to ride. The seats are low, and very close together, making it difficult for me because I cannot bend my knees underneath me. I can't kneel at all...feels like I am kneeling on metal...never will be able to kneel. But I continue to work as an RN, and very active with my 5 small grands, raising a 4 year old grandchild. There is a lot I wish I could do...stairs are a challenge. I was told to try to avoid stairs unless necessary as they tend to wear the knees out faster. I have a 3 story home, so I only do stairs here and if necessary.
I'm trying to be prepared for the worst but keeping the long term goals in mind. 
