LiterateGr.....I feel your pain!......I too have problematic knees, one in particular that is giving me trouble. In fact, I went to pulmonary rehab (I have copd) and my knee was so bad that they switched me to rehab for my knee. After 4 months of knee rehab I am back in pulmonary....which is just using the recumbent bike and the treadmill so far. Yesterday my knee gave me problems so I cut my session a few minutes short.

I did have my first cortizone shot in my bad knee, and I must say that it helps tremendously. I don't know how long they last, but I will surely get another when I am ready. I think you can get 3 a year.

I probably am a candidate for knee replacement in the future.

Foot and knee pain are what started me on this weight loss journey. On a visit to the podiatrist for foot pain, he told me all would be much better if I could lose weight. He explained how with each step you get double your weight in pounds of pressure on each knee/foot ..... for example - 200 pounds becomes 400 as you take each step. I left his office with some Powerstep orthotics for my shoes, recommendations for brands of shoes to help my pain and a plan to begin my diet. That's been several years, but I have lost 80 pounds and it has definitely helped my foot and knee pain.

Best of luck with your exercise program......if you haven't looked into the knee shots you might want to consider it!