Donny, there are many, many non-surgical alternatives to full replacement, avenues that should be explored thoroughly before making a commitment to surgical intervention.

Keep in mind that orthopedic surgery is a big business and there are lots of orthopedic surgeons out there that recommend joint replacement when it is not necessary at that particular stage of the disease. Far too often they tend to jump the gun. The MRI will provide the correct information on this, so be sure to read the radiology report yourself before making the decision.

While I know there are several forum members here that have undergone successful knee replacements, working in the field of medicine, I got to witness, first hand, many individuals that did not enjoy the same success. Surgery is not a panacea - it's a last resort.

Good luck,

Gary