@mister2 : Thank you for a very straightforward, and detailed description of your knee history. I am both amazed and happy that you were able to postpone serious surgery for over a decade, what with your active lifestyle. I may - or may not - have jumped the gun, but after unsuccessful arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage, torn meniscus, advanced arthritis on tibia, and under knee cap, in spite of really compliant rehab the pain continued whenever I tried to do normal things.... like walking down stairs, walking down inclines, walking - period, stopping abruptly, getting up from a chair, simply sitting or standing any length of time. Basically, pain out of proportion to visible cause. Lived with that for about 11 months.
My TKR was successful as far as normal pain, normal scarring, and above normal recovery of flexibility, but it still is an artificial joint, with limitations. Some days I kick myself for having decided to have it done, but then today I went back to a famous local destination - Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. Summer home (Castle) of the Vanderbilt family. Last visited September ‘18, just a week before knee surgery, since they had a stunning exhibit of Chihuly glass sculptures interspersed in the gardens and the mansion. On about 5 different levels. And it just about wore me to the core to get down the steps to each new attraction. Went back for brunch at a restaurant there today, took some of the same paths, and no pain, walking steps or inclines. So even with my regrets of not being quite the same any more, I do see the benefits. If that makes sense. BTW, brunch was to celebrate my 70th.