Yes, there is pain associated with knee surgery. You don’t say what type of knee surgery. Generally doctors understand the need to manage post operative pain and willingly prescribe appropriate pain meds to last you through that period. If a knee surgeon is unwilling to do that, I personally would find another surgeon. It is also important to honestly share with the doctor any pain meds you have been on and the length of time. I have had two knee replacements with the second being far superior to the first in every way including pain management. When I went to rehab after only three hospital days, the pain was easily managed with two Extra Strength Tylenol 650mg every 8 hours. By contrast, the first knee replacement was still giving me problems and pain for 12 months. Does this information help?