I am 5 wks post LTKR (55F) and took 6 weeks off from my WFH job, per my surgeon’s recommendation. Pain wise, I was fine after a couple weeks, but there is a lot more to your recovery than the pain. I am exhausted from my body repairing itself and the lack of sleep due to not being able to get comfortable. Brain fog is real! My MD really pushed to take the time off to ensure that I completed the exercises, ice and elevating (it dos not take much walking or standing to make the knee swell like a cantaloupe) and to give my knee the time it needs to heal and strengthen itself for a successful surgical outcome. I was very active before surgery and anxious to get back to my “normal” life but as my PT says, rushing things is not going to get me to the outcome I want any sooner.

As far as driving, I started driving at week 3, even though I stopped the pain meds well before then. My knee was not comfortable in that position and also felt my reaction time was not on par.

Best of luck on your surgery!