Knee problems

First let me start by saying that I have had two arthroscopies on my right knee and one on my left for basically worn out cartilage and some "fraying" around the edges of the knee cartilage, but never an outright tear (according to MRI studies all three times).  My knee problems have always started out first with pain, achy-type feeling, stiffness, and a tight band-like feeling around my knee, sometimes hurting on the outer back of my knee (I know I have a Baker's cyst in both knees, but this isn't the kind of pain I'm talking about, although the Baker's cysts have been very painful too), and then radiating to the front inside of my knee.  My last surgery on my right knee was November 2009, and I've had a new flare.  First surgery was 1998, so it lasted for 9 years.  Each time I've had arthroscopic surgery, it has been a relief, helping the pain immensely and clearing it up altogether.  This last time the tightness and stiffness never went away completely.  I'm a very active person, but have had to slow down my activities due to knee pain and discomfort, not incapacitating, just enough that I was afraid to push it lest the effusion come back and more surgery would be required).  Each time the doctor found that the knee joint was very inflamed, "very angry-looking" the doctor said about this last surgery in 2009.  With this latest flare-up I live in a different place so couldn't go to my regular doctor.  They did an MRI, x-rays, and a ton of blood work.  They highly, highly supsected a meniscus tear upon initial evaluation, but MRI did not show a tear, only lots of fluid and inflammation, and of course, the Baker's cyst.  I've had fluid removed twice, but this doctor did not want to give steroid injections, he doesn't like the lasting effect steroid has on your joints, and I feel the same way, although steroid shots in the past always gave me great relief, which were given just after an aspiration.  With this latest flare, I have just had the above-mentioned therapy, along with total NWB, use of crutches, and ice packs, but now no longer NWB, but I walk like an older person due to the pain.  The major effusion is now finally gone, it didn't come back after the last aspiration, but the pain is still there, worse with coming down stairs.  I am only 54 but my knees feel like an old lady because of the hobbling about I have to do and the obvious limp I now have.  I'm very, very frustrated.  The doctor says just take anti-inflammatories and let pain be my guide.  I've been trying to start back with strengthening exercises that I learned in PT, but it's very painful to bend my right knee, and I still can't bend it completely due to tightness and stiffness (and pain). 

Has this happened to anyone, and if so, can you tell me what you did/are doing to treat yourself?  

Also, I just wanted to add that my CRP level was over 200, and other levels were high on the initial blood work, but blood tests done a week later showed the CRP level at 90, and other levels were going down as well.

Thanks for any help or advice.  I'm at my wits end.