This depends on the type of surgery you'll need and the recommendations of your doctor. As a general rule, patients are instructed to use crutches or a walker when standing or walking for at least six weeks. This limits the weight patients bear on the operated leg. For debridement surgeries, doctors often allow patients to start out by putting a comfortable amount of weight down. But if an allograft surgery (using donated tissue) is done to restore the bone and cartilage, patients may have to avoid bearing much weight on that side for up to four months.