my hubby had both knees done at the same time. 55 years old and a farmer. It was tough and required a longer recovery. He has not regained the nerves/feeling from the knees down to his toes in either leg. He has to be careful in his occupation to not get hurt. We have gone to specialists in nerve damage- it may someday return but it has been 2 years at this time. His toes can be very sensitive to the sheets on a bed, so forget a quilt! After all of this he would do it again, he has no pain, does walk with a limp, but the surgeries did give him quality of life. By the way, he also had a hip replacement- he can't walk in a store without setting off one of the security alarms..........that I HATE. and he works 3am to 6pm or longer everyday without complaining. Do what your doc says, and water therapy was really helpful for him once you are healed enough to be allowed in a pool.