thanks to everyone for the opinions. as for the alcohol suggestion, i'm wayyyy ahead of you, but the gut is still bugging me.
a little history about this left knee of mine, i 1st ruptured my ACL playing football near a lot at Rich Stadium 14 years ago. it was after a game, we were waiting for traffic to die down before we headed back to Rochester. we played a spirited game of tackle, me and 6 brothers and a few very game strangers. Well, after a 7 yard burst by yours truly, I took the shot by my brother right at the left side of my left knee. Snap, thud, OW!
since that time, it's given me problems and I have sustained a severe case of arthritis, medial miniscus tear, my knee cap cracked, and my MCL is partially torn....oh and the ACL appears to have disintigrated.
a complete reconstruction is imminent,but they wont do thatto a 38 year old.
thanks again, and protect your knees!!!!