At age 41 is way too early to have a knee replacement. A knee replacement will last maximum 20 years, therefore doctors do not like to replace knees until you are close to sixty. If you have arthritis where there is no meniscus and bone is against bone, that is most unusual. You may want to consider braces for now. If you get an artificial knee you will need a second one in about 15 years. Ask your doctor to examine the meniscus to see if it can be repaired before going for a knee replacement. To answer your question, it will take 4-6 weeks with lots of physiotherapy before the leg is strong enough to get  around without crutches. And another thing. You do not have to have general anesthesia for a knee replacement. The operation takes about one hour and you can be on physio in 2 days.

cs33ca   M. Sc. PharmD.   www.anestheticnews.com