[saiya-jin]

Yes building supporting/stabilizing muscles can do wonders, but as with everything key is to start way before you actually have problems and pain - that's a phase when body is already struggling and failing to fix things long term and degradation happens. Look at your direct ancestors for clues.

Adequate stress on joints from right exercises executed in good form are part of this. Beginners almost never got this right and overdo things, investing into professional help in the beginning is very good idea.

Same with weight - when people react to degrading health due to say being obese, one is beyond point of return in many things comprising overall quality of life and health. Like getting your act together after first heart attack, way too late.

If in pain, generally don't exercise through it, body is saying something ain't right so rather address it. Try things like swimming which put very little stress on the knees yet can work whole body efficiently. You really want to have all parts of body developed well, otherwise you will be always chasing some degradation like whack-a-mole without ever winning.