I've had it, and recovery was pretty easy for me. A day or two of going up and down the steps on my rear end, but other than that I was weight-bearing as tolerated. My surgery was 5 years ago.
The surgery worked in that it stopped the "locking up" that you describe, but I have since given up running, stepping and have minimized my impact.
I can still lift weights, spin, do yoga, kickboxing, hike, swim etc..
The day of surgery is pretty quick and easy for most people (I'm a nurse in a same-day surgery unit and see this surgery all of the time). Most patients don't even require more than over the counter medicine for pain. I hope that's the case for you!
Good luck!!