(Naah, no good; will have to wait for it to come out the other end now....)

Thanks for the advice folks, especially with regards to the taking of the tablets. It sure sounds as only marginally safer than chewing razorblades. I'll stay with external application for now.

As for the Ibuprophen, I have been meticulous about taking it with food, and have also been taking Losec with it occasionally, to help protect the stomach. Now, I took the last 400mg at 10pm last night, i.e. 18 hours ago, and I am feeling a few twinges but nothing great, and the knee is only a little puffy. Perhaps it's time to start weaning myself off it, then.

The real problem is - can I wean myself off the walking stick? It's my comfort blanket. No, don't... - waaahhh!