Ouch, knee injuries are crappy. Had a friend who damaged the knee in sports as well, and finally after years of pain (sometimes he could barely drive) he opted to try out the surgery (his main problem was to find a trustworthy orthopaedic surgeon). At least it seems he didn't regret it, even despite the recovery time.
As for the popping, I can totally relate, in a "funny episodes" kind of way
