Hi Bridget,
I am 6 1/2 months on RTKR and 6 weeks on LTKR. Today I went to pt with swelling. As I did my standing exercises at the parallell bars, you could see the swelling work it's way down the left leg. Have had swelling problems with that leg before surgery due to previous nerve damage. My PT said, you're doing too much and spending too much time on your feet. That's laughable since all my husband, 8 children and 3 grandchildren have been sick with a virus for the last week. I'm the only survivor at this point. Had to cancel pt on Monday at 9 am to get children's fevers under control and medicated.
Saying all this because, yes it's normal for most of us. And second, maybe you are doing too much at 5 weeks. Back off a little and see if it helps. When I overdo, I try to have the next day my down day. Resting, icing and elevating as much as possible. Even if it means I do school work from my bed and sit in the chair to cook meals. Do whatever it takes to get the swelling down. Sometimes it takes up to a year they tell me. :skp:
Swelling = poor ROM. The fluid has no where to go and you can't push against it. When you try, it causes pain. It's also important to keep the pain meds going as prescribed. This helps keep the swelling down. I have had issues with mine the last few days (see my hot knee clunking along for more details). So no wonder I'm swollen. Icing and elevating with laptop on my tummy as I type this. Tomorrow will be a down day for sure....Lord willing.
Swelling also causing stiffness in the IT Band that runs from your hip to right below the outside of your knee. If you have pain and stiffness in these areas, you need to work on loosening the IT Band. Several good posts with exercises on this subject.
Hope you get some relief soon and get that swelling under control.
Blessings,