Hi there,
I'm 6 months out from my rt medial PKR, and yep, "hips are easier than knees" some of my cycling pals had their hips done and were out riding and having a good old time, sleeping well, minimal discomfort and I was still using a walker or cane, and happy when I could go up a flight of stairs!
I think it took a good 4 months for me to feel good. I used a cane or walker for about 6 weeks, though mostly for out of the house excursions. Sleep was an issue for about 3-4 months. I was off serious pain meds at 3 weeks, but on a bit of gabapentin for sleep and nighttime pain.
I had my great ROM at about 2 weeks, did well in PT, used my ice machine after activity for about 4 months, was pretty hooked on the thing for the first 2 months, would use it for hours while on the couch.
My husband works from home so was able to help, or supervise me. He gave me the lovenox shots since I would be more than happy to give anyone a shot except myself. Managing meds was a challenge since I would forget when I took pain meds, we kept a chart to keep track. I called him the CandyMan as he doled out the pain meds.
I got a lot of knitting done! Easy projects only, any complex projects wouldn't go too well.
At 6 months I am just beginning a running program, riding or hiking and getting in 3+ hours, doing pilates, sleeping well. Last thing to resolve is occasional jabs of posterior knee pain, that I notice after kneeling and then straightening my knee. If I do a yogic childs pose and straighten my knee I feel it, so I laid off childs pose for now.
no more tylenol, pain meds, aspirin or non steroidals. I feel so much better than I did pre op and realize how much a drag my knee was. I wasn't bone on bone but getting close and had a pretty shredded meniscus, baker's cyst, osteophytes etc.
Good luck! Not a walk in the park, and don't let anyone say "its just a partial..." still is just as brutal as a total --and maybe even a bit worse since I think surgery flares up the other not so bad bits of arthritis in the other compartments!
Liz