Karyn, please tell your parents to take the operations. My left knee was SO painful that I almost no cartilage left and I was trying to walk bone on bone. I had it done and I spent four days at the hospital. When I came home, I had a physical therapist come in and she gave me exercises to limber up and strenghen it. After two weeks I was walking (with help) around the house and a little down the street. I then had some regular therapy done for another two weeks. By that time I was walking almost normally and with NO pain! My new knee is much better than my old one. Now, if I don't look at the scar, I'd think I'd have two natural knees! BTW, I don't believe what your consultant said knee replacement.