I had knee surgery in my late teens, and they told me then I'd likely need more surgery in "10 years." That was almost 30 years ago. I still have some random knee pain, quite often related to rain (no lie).

That said, when I'm above my ideal weight, my knees hurt. When my weight is where it should be, they don't.

My friend had that surgery on each knee. She said that recovery wasn't too bad. She had a job at that time where she needed to be on her feet, but she wasn't off work for very long.

I've known for at least 20 years that I have osteoarthritis (the old-age kind, not rheumatoid, the immune disease). It started with aches in both wrists.I went to my family doctor who did Xrays. Now both knees and sometimes my feet hurt. I fell on the ice a winter ago and injured my left knee. It's weak and painful, and I noticed I can't do most yoga poses with that knee. So I "sit out" in yoga class while others (even much older than I) can stand on one leg and do twists. Basically, I'm a coward. I don't want surgery. My neighbor, a burly former foreman, had knee replacement surgery mayube 2 years ago. I see him out gardening, playing with his grandkids, fixing cars, nothing slows him down now. So I know knee replacemnt is available.

I had knee replacement two years ago, and am happy with it. I had so much pain prior to the procedure, so was very glad to have it done. Recovery was a bit slower than when I had hips replaced, but not bad.

I've had both knees replaced, and am also quite happy with the results. I walk with no pain. It's true that you are not allowed to run, as it puts too much stress on the parts. Also I can't kneel or squat, but that's okay. I have no pain! I still go to the gym and use most of their machines without difficulty.

The surgery is not the difficult part, it is the rehab. If your brother needs to get his knee replaced, he should focus on the physical therapy afterward if he wants to get back to function. Also, they don't last forever. He will likely need the replacement repeated in 10-15 years. Keeping your weight down is paramount in protecting your knees. Sounds like your brother is active, which usually means slim so I assume his problems with his knees are from over-use. Good luck to him.

I can't comment on your brother's knees since he already had surgery, but concerning your knees I'd like to offer a suggestion, if you don't mind.

For many years until recently, I walked for exercise, unaware that the normal biomechanics of my feet was disrupted due to a condition known as excessive pronation or hyperpronation. The pain came first in my hips, but then in both my knees, before I was correctly diagnosed. Like you, I had knee pain on stairs and after sitting, also walking and just standing after awhile.

A simple test you can do yourself which may indicate you have this problem is to squat in front of a mirror and take notice of your knees. Normally, they will be straight, but with excessive pronation, they will turn in.

The remedy is orthotics.

I'm having bilateral knee replacement and my surgeon gave the following advice. If you want to do everything you can to help your artificial knees last as long as possible then avoid excessive pounding- bike don't run, walk don't run, play doubles rather than singles tennis. If your brother is sensible then he'll alter his exercise routine.

I agree that weight is a huge factor with knees. I never had knee problems before I gained weight and...now I do. :0) I've been running for 21 years. Just 10lbs made a difference. The old saying, "pick your parents well", holds true also. A lot of a persons problems can be hereditary.

I have never had a weight problem but have had problems with my right knee since my late teens. I get cortisone shots every couple of years with a draining. I have to have a very strict diet to keep out foods that seem to aggravate my condition. I am back to HIIT workouts which involve a lot of jumping and impact and have had no issues since the diet change:). I used to get the knee inflammation on any high impact or weight bearing activity. BTW, my mother and grandmother had knee issues so I'm guessing it's hereditary.