Do the shoes really make the runner?

I logged a 4.5 mile run last week and discovered that my greatest limitation was not my endurance as I had expected, but rather the significant knee pain that came later that night and into the next day.  I've known for several months now that I have some mild arthritis in my right knee but up to this point the pain has been minimal.  (Especially with regular stretching and leg strengthening.)

So what changed?  Looking back through my running journal, the pain seems to have gradually increased along with my total number of miles logged.  My plan: try new shoes.

According to most running authorities, you should change your shoes once every 6 months, or every 500 miles (whichever comes first).  Though I hadn't yet reached either of these numbers, I was relatively certain I wasn't running in the right pair.  I did my research and decided to get fitted again.   Rather than bore you with the details of my experience, I've listed the basics on types of shoes.