Amount of rest and pain meds 5 weeks out of TKR

As everyone has stated, each recovery is unique. I weaned myself off of pain meds at 5 weeks. I am now almost 3 months post op ( May 5) but perform a physical job. I just finished PT but need to continue working on range of motion and strength. The tightness you will feel is a result of swelling and that can take up to a year to go away from what I've read. My PT told me to work on stretching at home, but not to the point where you need a day to recover.. it will come, just give it time.

It's taken a year plus for me to feel recovered and my knees to feel like a better version of what they were..Please take it slowly. Lower your expectations and do what you can. Trust me, once you are healed you can return to a far improved life but it takes ages. Or it did with me. Medications are to ease pain. Slowly reduce and if pain persists keep taking them or switch to simple paracetamol. Allow 2-3 months to wean off heavy hitters. What's the hurry? Good luck.xx

Wow! You are certainly ahead of where I was at 5 weeks. It's no wonder you are tired. There is no way I could have vacuumed, mopped or cooked a family dinner at that point. I was still having severe pain, icing and elevating 8-10 times a day, spending most of my time in my recliner and taking an afternoon nap. Definitely no grocery shopping, and the only time I left my apartment was when my son picked me up for PT. I'm 10 weeks post TKR and just today vacuumed my whole apartment for the first time. It was exhausting and painful! Last week I drove for the first time. I'm single, so cooking family dinners was not a concern, but at 5 weeks I was able to throw a frozen dinner in the microwave or pour a bowl of cereal. Let your husband do the cooking. Or get take out.

1) There is no such thing as too much rest at 5 weeks. As long as you are doing your home and outpatient PT, and getting up at least once an hour and walking around the house, resting is what you SHOULD be doing, in my opinion.

2) I'm on my last refill of Norco and trying to make it last. Still have moderate pain but I can go longer during the day without taking a pill. Need it the most before and after PT, before bed and during the night. If your pain pills make you groggy, perhaps talk to your doctor about switching to something different. 

3) Have no clue when I'll be able to get back to a normal routine. I'll be going back to work in two weeks but just part time at first and slowly add more hours. Will take it day by day, week by week and see how it goes. My employer is very understanding and will pretty much let me work as many hours as I'm able.

Your surgeon may think it's time for you to get back to your normal routine, but he's not the one who had the knee replacement. You know what's best for you, and if "getting back to this routine seems impossible at this point" then it is! As others have said, take it slow and lower your expectations. Your new knee will thank you!

Hi!  At 5 weeks out from a TKR -

1.  there's no such thing as too much rest!! 

2.  depends which pain meds you're on  - take your meds before the PT session

3.  I've had 2 totally different recoveries - I don't think there is a "normal routine"

From what you've said you're doing really well.  Keep up the exercise, taking your meds before a session should help.  If you feel like you're up for your "normal" routine - do it, if not don't.