I had a total knee replacement on my left knee in July 2010. I was on pain meds for a week, driving the second week, and pretty much back to my normal lifestyle by the end of 6 weeks. I still keep my knee elevated when resting, and sometimes it hurts (not in the same way as before; now it feels like it has a tourniquet on it, if it gets too tired.) I have made 8 quilts (queen size) since my surgery. Watch out for that Physical Therapy, they over worked my knee and inflamation got in it. My surgeon stopped the PT after that.