Ron, I don't know how old you are, but the question in my mind is, what kind of life do you want to live? And for how long?
I've had my right knee replaced and now there isn't much I can't do. Five months after mine was replaced, my future son-in-law took me on a "short" and "level" hike. It turns out the "short" was actually 8 miles. And the only place that was level was when the trail quit going downhill and started going back uphill, and vice versa. I did good on that. Prior to the surgery, there's no chance I could've done it. I went to Zion National Park and hiked up the East Observation Point trail. It's four miles in and a 2100 foot elevation gain...and then you get to do it in reverse. My body in general was pretty taxed with the hike, but I didn't even notice the knee.
If you can't push yourself to do things like ride a motorcycle, use an elliptical or treadmill machine...then eventually you'll just sit around and wait to die. And that will happen...sooner than if you had stayed active.
Do it. You won't be sorry. Take the advice of the people above. Mark's words about PT are especially important. Push yourself hard. If you don't, scar tissue will develop and you won't get the mobility you need. I had PT appointments twice a week. I hurt all the way from one PT appt to the night before the next one...and then did it all over again. But in less than a month, I was riding my motorcycle again.
Chris
.. Medical science is pretty amazing these days. If you really need it, do it.
