I had the R knee done in 2002. The Doc didn't want to do it because I was "too young." Now 17+ years later it's still hanging in there. Is it totally pain free? No, but it's always had some pain. I would much rather keep what I have rather than go through it again.
Got a cortosone shot in the L today. Starting to be painful on stairs, but walking is OK. The previous shot was in January.
Had the surgery in Seattle and had to go to a class before the surgery. They explained the whole thing, recovery, etc. etc. The nurse said it was a "bloodless" surgery. I asked her why my Doc wanted me to donate a unit of blood before the surgery? She said, "well we call it bloodless because there is a very tight tourniqet placed at the top of your leg, so that makes the surgery bloodless. But, after, when they remove it, 'you'll bleed like crazy!'" She was right!