I’m 54 and have bad osteoarthritis in my left knee, I take, tart red cherry supplements (science based evidence they reduce inflammation) and collagen powder (use Vital Protein collagen) unflavored in my coffee everyday. I ice both knees every night for 20 minutes, right at bedtime and go right to bed. No walking at all after icing. All of these steps cut my pain by 85-90%. I’m very active and walk every day and I lift weights including Roman deadlifts and squats. Sometimes, I will use my infrared knee wrap for a little extra but that takes every day use 30 minutes to one hour a day for 3 weeks to be effective. Good luck! PS. Have the surgery, it will improve your quality of life plus having pain at your age only wears you out. Get rid of it permanently so you don’t have to complicate your life with supplements. Just my two cents.