@chigirl: OK. At least you knew about stem cells, and had this discussion with your surgeon. I feel like an imbecile of not having done more research prior to my TKR. Having had some shoulder (repair) surgeries in past years with phenomenal results, I was expecting the same from the knee replacement surgery. Never knew - or was led to by my surgeon - to possible alternative treatments before TKR. May not have made a difference, but I kick myself for not doing more research and more exploring of alternative options.
My bad.