Listening to your body as you get older is more important than anything, I miss squatting but haven't done traditional or smith squats in over 5 years. Lost my right side to nerve impingement in my lates 30s, requiring disc replacement, coming back from that position to 80/90 Percent full recovery hardest thing done physically in my life and mentally.
You're right. Recovery from a serious injury is no joke; and I didn't appreciate how fragile my body truly is, and the work needed to get even the capability to walk and enjoy nature, again. Compared to you, my recovery, physio and nerve situation is relatively minor, but it was a shock and wakeup call for sure.
