Stan, I chickened out. I decided on the clean-up/synvisc-neovisc treatment instead. It's only a stop-gap procedure for me, as I well know; it's good for 6-12 months, but you can repeat the injections. I just wasn't looking forward to 2 replacements being done at the same time. You get a series of 3 injections in each knee, a week apart. In my case, both knees are
kaput, so there was no way that just replacing one was a viable choice. The only other option that they gave me was more cortisone shots. They seem to work well on me, but they're also just a short-term treatment - about 6 weeks. And...you shouldn't take too many of 'em anyway because of the side effects, according to my doctor.
http://www.bodyforce.net/
http://www.synvisc.com/
Stan, how did your replacement go? How long before you could start walking? I know different people that have had this procedure, and their recovery time seems to be all over the map- depending on the individual. You seem to be well ahead of the curve, being ready to run in 6 months. You have my honest admiration for getting back into the groove at all, let alone so quickly.
I know 2 guys that went back to officiating- one after a knee replacement and the other after a hip replacement. Both did football, and I worked with both of them. They both could run absolutely pain-free, and neither of them worried about any consequences either.
Btw, one of the things that was bothering me was that I heard that artificial knees were only good for 5-7 years. Apparently, with the new ones though, you're looking at a 20 year shelf life now.
Stan, please let me know how your games come out. I'm gonna have to get something done sooner than later, so any info is appreciated.
Good luck and kick azz this Sunday, Stan.