Zweefer:
I had the exact same surgery about 25 years back on one knee. It worked well for about 20 years, then the old knee just gave out. Since then, both of my knees have been replaced. Like Jack said, "do the therapy, whatever they asked you to do." The engineer side of me says, do all the therapy and give your knee the most opportunity to be as good as possible.
As best I remember, I was house bound about three days and took some pain pills during that time. After three days, I was walking in the house without crutches or a walker. Then I ventured into the driveway and in a couple of more days started walking 1/4-mile. If memory serves me correct, I was walking a mile in 12 days. I was then a consultant, and went back to work in 21 days.
Good luck, and if it gets you past the constant pain, you will soon be very happy.
