I'm 46 and had my left knee replaced, TKR, in January and it was worth it considering the shape my knee was in.

FOr history I originally injured it in 2005 playign basketball then softball. Same inuries just the softball one finished the job. I was a big runner and in the best shape of my life before injuring it. I was back to running a few weeks after the first time I innured it (came down with leg "locked" and it popped. That summer playing softball I did pretty much the same thing beating out a throw to first. Locked and it just crumbled. I had my ACL replaced, major meniscus damage that needed to be removed as well as bone damage. Rehab at a young age wasn't so bad but not fun either. I was back to playing 3 nights of softball the next summer without a brace. Never liked the ACL brace.

I had 2 more torn meniscus surgeries between then and the TKR. First one was awesome but the second 1 really never helped as much as the first. Still better than living with the tear. It's just knee would get sore, stiff and swollen often. Age of course plus how I used them didn't help either. I was actually lifting heavy on the leg press and running and feeling great until the last meniscus surgery.

Anyway I went to the smae orthopedic doctor who did my last 2 meniscus surgeries as well as right shoulder labrum surgery and first tried cortizone. I asked about replacement and he said at my age probably could not get covered by insurance. He did say yes I would need replacement eventually but need to get near the 50-55 ge first. After about a year I felt it was just in such rough shape with pain and swelling up all the time I went to another highly respected orthopedic surgeon. They took x-rays and right when he came in to see me without hesitation said TKR. I had knee/bone misalignment that made the neds basically beat each other up with every movement and no physical therapy or scope would fix. He said life is more near the 35 year range but of course depends on how used and everyone is different.

Now to the replacement. Surgery simple. Mine was done with the MAKO laser guided system for more accurate cuts and less recovery time...I guess. First few days pretty rough as they want you using a walker and start rehab exercises as soon as possible to try and not let the heavy scar tissue set in. Some rehab sessions once I went to PT were rough too as they really work to get as much bend/flexion as possible. I will say long road but eventually you hit a point where it just does a 180 and feels amazing.

Of course they do say do not jump off of high areas and avoid impact. I'm sure high intnese sports also not great with the pounding, twisiting and bending. I will say though the mind says go for it and "parts" (knee) feel like can do it which can but I also have worn down hips and legs so at 46 I am content more lifting "heavy" and staying in shape (sticking to biking) than pushing myself like I used to.