Cortisone injections for knee vs. knee replacement

[Guest guest]

Well, as lucky as I've been for most of my life health-wise, I think mother

nature (or father time) may be testing me...so I'd be grateful for advice from

anyone who has experienced a like situation.

My left knee has always been the " problem knee " as it was used throughout my

childhood to get up on counters, etc.  Now, approaching 60 in xx years, I have

learned that knees are not tools and should have been treated better during my

life. 

My knee started acting up last weekend when we moved Jane back into her college

dorm and got progressively worse as the next weekend approached.  The orthopedic

PA (MD was not available) xrayed and said that it was probably arthritis...so

the office scheduled a cortisone injection this morning.  I refused to be awake

through this so had a light dose of anesthesia--but woke up with only a slight

relief from the pain.  I still need to use a cane around the house and/or Jane's

kiddie walker as putting weight on it really smarts.  The ortho surgeon said

this morning, 'well, you might be heading toward knee replacement.'  The thought

of that just sends chills up and down me...so I thought I'd inquire if anyone

else (particularly achon) has gone through this and whether it was successful.

With much appreciation, Joy McKenzie