[aigel]

Never get the mechanic that is specialized in engine rebuilds and makes their living off of engine rebuilds tell you when to do an engine rebuild. You have to go to a sport medicine expert. Someone that is not interested in a knife over other methods.

I have had excellent success with physical therapy, strengh exercises and keeping my muscles and tendons strong.

You can loose 40 pounds, go through a physical therapy program, strenthen the muscles and flexibility and likely you will see quite some improvement.

Putting in a new knee is not a trivial surgery. I would argue that if you can delay it 10 years, the procedures, materials and even drugs will be better and your chance for success are probably twice as good.

George