Hello @ecook -- Welcome to Connect. I am in a similar situation and have had the same thoughts except I'm a lot older at 75. I had surgery on my right knee to remove torn cartilage back in the mid 70s and have had trouble with the knee off and on for many years. I have degenerative arthritis in both knees and the right knee is bone on bone. I have trouble walking and was at the point of using a cane daily and a walker at night when I had to make trips to the bathroom so that I can support/balance myself. I know each of us are different and I describe my pain at around 3 or 4 max for the knee which is subjective. A month or so ago I thought I would be a candidate for a knee replacement but after meeting with Mayo ortho docs they did not recommend it at this time. They suggested physical therapy which I had already been doing on my own and a shot as the next step...well, I had the shot last month and felt great up until the past few days. I over did it one day and did some kneeling working on the edge of the driveway. Now the knee is really tender again and I'm probably going back to using the cane for a few days until I see if it gets better. I still have better range of motion than before so that part is OK.

I'll give you what I think the answer to your question is but it's only my own opinion and I have no medical background or training. I think when the pain is unbearable (10+?) they probably would recommend the knee replacement. That and it will only last so many years and if they replace it now you might need another one and rehab is probably a lot harder for us old follks ☺

I'm tagging a moderator @JustinMcClanahan who is a youngster with a lot of experience and knowledge that I'm hoping can provide some enlightenment for both of us.

John