I'm 65 years old and for the last two years my left knee has been giving me fits. I've had two Xrays and one MRI. Normal age related deterioration. Touch of arthritis. Currently on my second steroid shot. Those things last three months at best. And after that I'm gobbling ibuprofen by the handful just to get through the day. Physical therapy is doing nothing. If fact since starting it the pain level is increasing.

A physical therapist mentioned some surgical procedures way short of joint replacement. Anyone in the same boat have any experience with said procedures?

Tag for answers.

I'm 48 and have a sharp pain in the top middle of my right knee when I go up and down stairs. So far they have only done an X-ray that didn't show anything.

I tore the meniscus in my left knee when I was 18. I'm 67 now. I never did anything surgical about it, but about 15-18 years ago I finally went and saw an orthopedic surgeon. He did some x-rays and confirmed that the meniscus is completely gone, and I've also got some osteoarthritis in there. In my case there wasn't a viable surgical answer other than replacement, i.e., the time for arthroscopic would have been 30 years ago.

He said that artificial joints are only good for about 10 years and then they have to be replaced again. Mind you that was 15+ years ago, and I don't know if things are different now or not. He fitted me with a heavy duty brace, a hinged aluminum frame with neoprene and elastic straps. It's worked well but it's kind of a PITA to wear every day. I found a lighter, elastic/neoprene brace at a pharmacy. Copperfit is the name on it. It works really well as an everyday thing as long as I don't over-do it. When I need to be on uneven ground I use the heavy brace.

This may not apply to your case. When I get sore knees, I found strengthening the muscles around it alleviates the pain. I've had meniscus surgery many years ago. Enough remains where I don't have bone on bone contact.
Good luck with yours.

Any mention of a meniscus tear?

My right knee is flat worn out and needs replacing but I for many reasons have dealt with it for years.

First had the tear and had surgery to repair it which helped for awhile. Mine has heavy arthritis and the pad is all but gone. Years of hydrocodone and shots every 3-4 months is all the relief i get.
The monthly pain mngm appointments are ridiculous and all the damn legal hoops to get the hydro are insane and now the pain mngm has decided they are loosing to much money giving the shots so will no longer do them through insurance so i paid $332 three weeks ago for the last one. I have gotten some relief but went through six months of knee pain due to a fill in tech giving me a half dose and what I feel was a missed injection.

I hate being on opiates but still not sure about having knee replacement done after seeing my brothers knee replacement done a few weeks ago. He had his rt knee done and is due to have the left done in a few weeks. He sent me a picture and his was extremely swollen and he said it was way down from what it was and was having bad pain. Need to call him and see if his second surgery is still going to happen. He has always had swelling issues through the years needing needle suctions to remove fluids which I have never had to have done with mine.

If you need surgery to repair a tear do it as its no big deal if your doctor thinks you have enough padding to do it. In my brothers case his was to worn out or down to bone on bone to even try it. They just went for replacements.

You mention pt making it worse which I understand. If your down to bone on bone or you have a tear pt is only going to make it worse imo.

Think my brother has put his replacements off due to them only lasting so long and the fact that advancements in replacement in quality and procedures are always happening.

My knees started to give out at about your current age. I went to a few Orth. surgeons for opinions and treatment.
I started with the steroid shots and ,like you, found relief after the first shot then decreasing benefits after the next two. I then had the gel injection and saw no big improvement. I was told the knee replacement was in my future for both knees because I was bone on bone.
I put off the surgeries for years until I could no longer. At about 73 I did research on the best surgeon available to me and settled on the top rated surgical center in my area, Rush Hospital and Midwest Orthopedics at Rush.
I picked a surgeon that specialized in total robotic knee replacement.I was told the replacements would last at least 25 years or for me, the rest of my life. They will also last longer the less you use them. If you are in your 30's or so you might wear them out faster.

He did the right knee then after 3 months did the left knee.It was no picnic but not as bad as I expected.
It took about 1 year to feel mostly all recovered from each surgical date.
Looking back I would have done it sooner. I waited till both knees were very weak and at my age it is very hard to build the strength back.

Remember, they will NEVER get better!
They will never be like when you were young.

Torn meniscus in my left knee. Likes to lock up on me every now and again and it can be painful if I'm on my feet for too long. It's becoming more painful for longer periods of time now. I know it's my miniscus from other people I know having gone through the same thing.

I'm 71 and have no plans on doing anything about it at this time. Shoulders are also becoming troublesome but that's just part of being in your 70's. I don't trust the medical community as I once did. Covid was one reason but my wife's best friend died in the hospital due to an administrative error after a minor back surgery at the age of 56. A friend of mine nearly died after a robotic knee replacement from an infection.

I refuse the steroid shots that only mask the problem. I had carpal tunnel a dozen years ago. Took the test to confirm it. Doc says it will eventually require surgery but we will give you cortisone shots for now. I looked at him and said the hell you will. You just told me it will require surgery eventually so if you are going to do anything it will be the surgery. I'll never forget the initial look on his face. It told me instantly he never had a patient refuse to participate in his recommendation. After a minute he says oh? and just got up and left. A few minutes later a nurse came in and says we will schedule you to see the surgeon. Some doctors are not much more than salesmen who want to sell you everything in the store.

The "Knees Over Toes" program might be worth looking into. Don't watch him and get turned off because there here are different levels. He designed parts of it for his mom. You can't repair the cartilage but you can stretch and strengthen the muscles and ligaments around knee issues.

Feel for you guys. I know i'll get there one day.

x15+ years of Aikido and so far 7+years of BJJ. Plus lifting and running. I absolutely know I'll need my knees looked at eventually.

Gel shots have worked for me. The last given to me by the VA have lasted 5 years.

I have knee arthritis from a combination of being a big guy my entire life (large frame and 250+ pounds) in a physically intensive law enforcement career and being very physically active. Pounding around on my knees for decades has started to wear them out.

Luckily, I still get decent relief from steroid injections. They usually last over a year for me.

My knee doc says that once they stop working at least 3 months, it'll be time to look into knee replacement. Hopefully that's not something I'll have to worry about for at least a couple more decades.

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
A physical therapist mentioned some surgical procedures way short of joint replacement. Anyone in the same boat have any experience with said procedures?

If you have a torn meniscus (the cartilage pad between the bones in the knee joint), there's a relatively minor outpatient arthroscopic procedure that can fix that.

I had mine done in 2009 after tearing my right meniscus. I was in and out of surgery in an hour or so with three small incisions around my knee joint, home within a couple hours, on crutches for a day or two, walking stiffly but mostly normally within 3 days, back to work on light duty within 5 days, and back to 100% and full duty within a few weeks with PT. (Though I was also young and in great shape, so YMMV with recovery time for a knee scope.)

But this won't reverse or correct the arthritis if that's the only issue. Arthritis comes from the meniscus being worn away with age and use, rather than an tear or injury that they can fix with a quick scope procedure. Knee replacement is the usual surgical fix for advanced knee arthritis.


I have heard that there are also some newer semi-experimental surgical procedures to implant new lab-grown cartilage or artificial cartilage to alleviate knee arthritis, but you may or may not be a candidate for those, and they're not covered by most medical insurance.

There are also other injections besides steroids that can be used to treat knee arthritis, like hyaluronic acid gel, but it's also pretty hit or miss whether they're covered by medical insurance. None of my insurances have covered them, so I've only ever gotten the steroid shots.

I have had both knees replaced twice. First time for arthritis and second from infection after a fall on ice 9 years later. Ortho told me when I got my first shot 13 years ago that before too long I would be in for replacement as they were already too far gone from toughing it out and waiting too long. Believe me you will know when it is time, I would waken instantly from a dead sleep feeling like lightning struck my knees. Did them 8 weeks apart and had very good outcome until I fell. Second set have been slightly problematic but after 3 years things are getting back to feeling normal. Right knee came back quickly but left remained achey until recently. If replacement is inevitable just go ahead and get it done with, you can thank us later.

I had a total knee replacement of my left knee in December 2025 (age 55). I tried injections in April '24, April '25, and August '25. The first injection provided almost a year of relief but after that they were ineffective at combating some arthritis and joint deterioration.

I couldn't be happier with the results. I began physical therapy the day after surgery and continued it roughly every other day for 4.5 weeks. I began walking 9 holes on the golf course in March and the surgeon said I would notice even more improvement approximately 8 months after the procedure.

I have had surgery on both knees for torn cartilage during my football days. My left knee was more severely injured. It gives me the most problems these days, especially after doing heavy yard work.

My sister ran on streets for 15 years. She had to have both knees replaced at age 68. I go over to the local high school and run on their rubberized Olympic track. Not as scenic as street running but running is not fun anyway. So far zero problems with my knees at age 70. Fingers crossed.

quote:

Originally posted by Anush:
Gel shots have worked for me. The last given to me by the VA have lasted 5 years.

I've had one Hyaluronic shot (gel shot) about 8-9 months ago, as I am needing some knee work done,(knee replacement but so far I am only needing a partial) and so far so good. I have had the Cortisone shots to no avail and the doc recommended the next phase, which was the gel shot. Depending on the your insurance, it can be pricey but if you don't want the pain, get the Hyaluronic shot. It works and well worth it.

To answer some questions here are the highlights for my MRI results.

Moderate size joint effusion which is slightly complex.

Subchondral erosion medial femoral. Degenerative.

Severe chondromalacia/ medial compartment.

Medial patellar retinaculum torn.

Lateral meniscus subluxed.

Medial meniscus subluxed medially.

Significant chondromalacia medial compartment.

Once we get past 65 with rare exception, there is enough degenerative change that limited surgery such as arthroscopy is useless for long term outcome.
For every 65+ patient I see that proceeds to surgery, probably 98/100 will be total knee replacement.
If steroid injection is not lasting you with significant relief a minimum of 4 months, one last non surgical option is viscosupplementation what people refer to gel shots. Can be done every 6 months.
Just like steroids, variable response. I do have a number of patients who have been getting gel for 7-8 years holding steady with tolerable pain and function. Others of course won’t get that sort of response and advance to surgery.
These days compared to years ago, most knee replacements are a one and done.
We have advanced with MAKO robotic assist replacements to be very precise in surgery with minimal bone resection, excellent implant fit and fairly quick recovery. Unlike years ago, it is an outpatient surgery and you go home walking same day ( with a walker and a goodly amount of pain)
The rough patch is the first 4-6 weeks.
Delaying results in a couple problems-
Recovery can be longer, surgery can be more technically demanding and prior to surgery people tend to build a life around the knee, greatly limiting activity essentially losing out on life events. Also this gives chronic disease like heart disease, diabetes etc to develop or worsen making surgical risks greater.