There are many bones, muscles, and joints in the knee, so there are many potential sources of knee pain. Common causes of knee pain include:

Arthritis: Arthritis is a common cause of knee pain, especially in older adults. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are all types of arthritis that can affect the knee.

Bursitis: Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions the joint. The bursa is between the skin and the tendons or muscles around the joint. Bursitis often affects the shoulder, elbow, or hip but can also occur in the knee.

Tendonitis: Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons. These are the thick cords of tissue that attach muscle to bone. Tendonitis can occur in any tendon but is most common in the Achilles tendon (the tendon at the back of the ankle) and the tendons around the shoulder.

No, orthopedic doctors do not always recommend surgery. After exhausting all other options, most orthopedic doctors will only recommend surgery as a last resort. One should only consider surgery if the pain is severe and/or if there is significant damage to the joints or bones.

After surgery, you will likely need to complete a course of physical therapy to recover correctly. The length of time you need PT will depend on the type of surgery you had and how well you respond to treatment. However, most people can expect to complete PT within three to six months.

Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause severe joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. It is most commonly diagnosed in the big toe but can affect other joints. Gout treatment typically involves medication and lifestyle changes. Some people may also require surgery.

While most joint replacements last for many years, there is no guarantee that any particular joint replacement will last a lifetime.

Many factors can affect how long a joint replacement will last. These include the type of joint replaced, age and health of the patient, and the patient’s activity level. 

For example, hip replacements tend to last longer than knee replacements, and younger and healthier patients have longer-lasting results. Likewise, patients who lead relatively sedentary lifestyles tend to have longer-lasting results than those who are very active.

Of course, there is always some element of chance involved, even with all of these factors. Some patients may experience complications that require revision surgery.