8 years ago Meniscus tear swelling and arthritis,  I tore it in three spots , specialists oh no its arthritis  just bear it out until you need a replacement
paid for my own MRI , oh dear it is torn in three spots -  They then agree to orthoscopic surgery.  Gym and rehab and it gets much better

Three yrs ago Arthritis takes its toll  XMAS can't walk the length of a shopping mall  Coritson injections both knees (one is worse than the other but both are bad) and I can limp along
Go through two years of synvisc injections every six months and although not a cure and although not pain free I am mobile for the most part - walking only of course and I use Aleve for things like golf.  but golf game sucks as I cannot "torque" the knees
This XMAS can't walk in the mall again ,  The knee is not strong enough to lift the leg properly and as I walk my shoe keeps rubbing on the tile and I was half tripping all the time unless I concentrated on just walking   Figured I was done and time for a replacement    Specialist was trying to get me to wait till age 62   i am 59   They just felt then they would only do one replacement

One last try
I have heard of PRP but not much available in Canada
new doctor in area is trying so i go for it  First injection into my bad knee Dec 1 2011  much pain , body actually went into schock  one week  crutches, one week cane, one week hobble, one week limp.   go golfing on holiday after xmas  and great news   no brace required for my bad knee and I can golf almost as good as when my knees were health    ....... its working   .....  no limp
mid Jan PRP for my good (better) knee.  Doctor has just returned from LA from a review with the PRP guru.   Ultrasound machine to guide the needle and new method of preparing the blood.  Whoa what a difference. Vertially no pain, I walked out and it keeps getting better
Going in for injection 2 in my bad knee
But
when sitting for a long time 2 hrs I am a programmer so i sit   kness are stiff like full arthritis but 20 steps you wouldn't know anthing is wrong.   back at the gym but not running
but the future is very bright   not waking in the middle of the night with sharp pains and golf is looking like it will be fun again.  Going skiing at spring break as well
The future is in PRP and Orthokine     

Glad to hear your knees are doing better  . I had a question how bad was your arthritis? I have a defect in my cartilage but it is not grade 4. It seems to be a partial defect which kind of sucks. If I leave it alone it gets worse and helps destroy the cartilage around it. I'm wondering if prolo helps regenerate articular cartilage without needing to be in contact with the bone same goes for the Iagh stuff. Anyway good luck with your recovery and your golfing.