I have runner’s knee which now is arthritic and (according to the doctor) in need of a knee replacement. I bought a cane a while back and it is also useful for hiking (yep, you can’t keep some people down). As a secondary usage, a cane can be readily be used for self defense given the need to do so.
I have a bad knee, also. (gymnastic’s injury in college} It hadn’t really bothered me until about five years ago. Surgery was suggested...........but it really isn’t THAT bad. I still take my Husky for her twice daily walks, and the cane does help. One just never knows when one might encounter a rabid wolf, cranky mountain lion, dope head, or terrorist. (given the topic of the thread, I just had to work that in. LOL!)