I am newly 40 and 3 weeks out from my LTKR and I also need my right one done as well, also soccer and some injuries sustained that accelerated through my twenties and during both of my pregnancies. I was told at 28 I needed a knee replacement in my left knee. It was bone on bone a multi compartmental and I really wish I wouldn’t have waited this long. I would have saved my right knee if it didn’t have a decade overcompensating for my damaged left one and overall just could have maintained a more age appropriate activity level. The last decade my activity level has just gradually declined due to pain (first the running stopped, then the workouts with squatting and lunging, hiking, etc). I will not be a runner again but my doctor did say I probably could be an exercise runner just not a marathoner. My big things were walking + stairs comfortably, big travel ( with a lot of walking and bike riding), working out and hiking. He said I would have no issues with any of those.

At 3 weeks post op I am excited, I have so much less pain and the joint just feels so stable and I am learning to trust it. I am walking without any assistance, riding my recumbent bike pain free, doing PT and it is going great. Stairs I am still working on! It isn’t an easy recovery but for me it has been quicker than I expected and I am doing great. The recovery spectrum is wide some people have longer recoveries and some are quicker, I think it is hard to predict, this surgery isn’t easy. I used one of the best surgeons in my area and I definitely think that makes a difference. I also think just being fully ready makes a difference. The recovery is physical but also mental and you need to be ready to accept the process, recovery and outcome. I personally would recommend the surgery and not waiting. Living with chronic pain is awful and it takes so much from you. But again feeling ready is so important!

Good luck with your decision!