avascular nucrosis - anyone heard of this?

[bette1]

I have been having horrible pain and swelling in my knees for about 2 weeks.  After trips back and forth to the docs, they diagnosed me with damage to both my knees caused by long term prednisone use.  Now, the only treatment that may help is a total knee replacement.  I am so frustrated.  I do not want another surgery , and possibly more complications, and I have to keep taking prednisone to retain the remaining function I have with my transplanted kidney.  I am hoping for a second transplant so I could be on prednisone for the rest of my life.  I don't know what to do.  I am also pretty young for a knee replacement - 41!