My husband had RSR in November. We had also heard that the recovery was grueling. My husband is 72 and has been in a lot pain for a long time. Steroid injections stopped giving relief. We had an exceptional Dr but the recovery was a surprise. He needed pain medicine for the first week only. Then NSAIDS were enough. Very little pain week two and out. Physical therapy went really well. Did not need pain medicine. So talk to your doctor in depth and don’t listen to people that have had surgery some years ago. It has improved. Good luck to you. And, God Bless.