Vikki, my wife knows exactly what you are talking about. She has been dealing with JRA (juvinile rheumatoid arthritis) since she was 12. In the past 5 years she has had her lower spine recontructed (multiple fusions, rods, plates, screws, cadaver bone etc.). Then, in the last 24 months she has had both knees fully replaced. The most recent was 18 months ago and she is STILL battling a staph infection from that surgery. She is supposed to have both hips replaced but must wait for the infection to be 100% gone.

Anyway, she used to have serious issues with her knees, locking up, popping out, grinding you name. Now, she has very little pain in the them and can walk quite easily now.

Surgery is definately no fun but sometimes it's the best solution with good results.