The idea of cutting out my natural joint felt too permanent and extreme for my age. I started researching alternatives and found https://ways2well.com/blog/stem-cell-vs-knee-replacement-which-option-is-right-for-you which explains how stem cells can repair the damage naturally. It is comforting to know that preserving my own biological knee is actually possible with modern science. Keeping my original parts is definitely my priority over artificial hardware.