I have avascular necrosis in both knees. I don't have a definitive answer on if I can dive. There is a better than 50/50 chance that I will need knee replacements in the next couple of years, although I'm going through surgeries now, with stem cells, to try to save the knees for as much as 5 years. 5 years doesn't sound like much in the grand scheme.
But, I can tell you I have no intentions of selling my dive gear, not even the technical gear that I purchased right before this was diagnosed!
I still plan to get cave and technical training some day!
It all depends on your will to do what your going to do but one trashed knee? Suck it up dude!
---------- Post added August 20th, 2013 at 08:20 PM ----------
Thanks for the helpful and hopeful advice. Seems I won't be the only one setting off metal detectors at the airport...
Start PT and biking as soon as they will let you. Get in the pool.
I'm two weeks out from my stem cell/core decompression. I started biking yesterday and I'm up to 7 minutes, 3 times a day. I'm waiting on the scabs to heal to start swimming laps, anxiously waiting. I'm also anxiously waiting on my PT prescription to go to physical therapy. Most ortho doctors are pro-exercise for most problems, if you will let them know you are interested.
The more you move and use your joint after surgery, usually,the better off you will be.
I have a second surgery in a few weeks and after that, I will be held back again for a week or two but once I hit my four week point from that second surgery, I will be rowing and swimming like a mad-woman.