I’m 10 days in on outpatient knee replacement.

My surgeon's office advised me to take a Tramadol before each outpatient PT session until about 3 months out. Sometimes I needed one at bedtime. Ice right after PT helps. I can say from my reading and my own experience, everyone is different. I am 7 months out. At the class I attended before the TKR, the PT said that the people who were the worst off before surgery would have the easiest recovery. It didn't make sense until about a week after surgery when I was wondering if I had done the right thing. I could walk before surgery -- not well, and with problems with balance and even little steps, but after surgery I was using a walker and unstable all the time! People who couldn't walk before surgery probably thought they were doing great post-surgery! I found that the feeling in my leg changed every few days at first, then every couple of weeks. My ROM changes with swelling. About two weeks ago a new pain on the inside of my knee seemed to coincide with feeling a more normal walking motion. I rarely need a cane, but still carry it for when I need the balance or boost. I never used all the Tramadol, but I continue to use Tylenol as needed to sleep.