so used to living in pain

I would ask for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. There are so many things they can do to relieve the pain, prior to knee replacement.

I had orthoscopic surgery to clean out floating cartilidge in my right knee. I have OCD and a knee brace for the left knee. I have done synvisc injections. Synvisc is a lubrication which is done 3 injections, 1 week apart.  Yes, go to someone who has experience doing synvisc. I have it done in both knees and am picky about who at the office does it. There's one PA who I WILL NOT ALLOW to touch me.( sorry I'm not willing to be the test subject while he learned and he caused me to cry in pain).  I am almost 10 months since the last injections and almost due to have it done again.

Some day knee replacement will be done, but I would rather wait and only need it once. They say the knee replacements only last 12-15 years and have to be done again.

My friends in pain- when I have it from overdoing things are: tylenol, ice, moving more, wearing my knee brace, and vicodan at bedtime.