Capt. Steve,
Be patient, and do the therapy as required by your MD. When not at PT use a "Stretrch Out Strap" while watching TV to do knee bending exercises. You will get frustrated at times thinking your recovery is so slow, BUT in 5-6 months you will be doing so much better.
I just returned from a 10 day hunting trip, I did a lot of walking with a light pack and muzzleloader rifle and had help dragging and lifting two wild hogs and one deer into the bed of my pickup truck. I had total knee replacement 9 months ago.
You can do it, be patient.... I was on oxycodone for the first 5 weeks and then switched to Aleve. I always had ice packs ready to put on my knee after PT (2 hrs. a day /4-5 days a week).
Be EXTREMELY CAREFUL when walking with your cain, it took me awhile to get my balance with my new knee.
As others have said, in a few months you will be very glad that you had the surgery. Good luck, Gimpy!
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"Life is short, hunt hard"
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