Replying to "Osteochondritis Dissecans" knee injury. Anyone had it or can advise?

After skiing pretty hard for a week at the end of march, my knee swelled up.  When it got to the point where I had trouble walking, I took it to my pediatrician.  I had an MRI done and it was clear that it was not any ligament tear, but instead a piece of bone and cartilage from my femur that had died and was hanging loosely.  I was on crutches for 6 weeks and the swelling went down.  I expected to be active around mid-summer.
I have MRI #2 done in early July and learn that the lesion has detached, with no chance of healing itself.  The big S word (other than shit) was surgery.  One method that may be used is called OATES, and it takes pieces of bone from my upper femur, away from the contact in the joint.  The other involves growing a cartilage culture in Boston and adding it to the hole.  Whatever happens, the floating bone lesion has to be removed.  I'll try to attach MRIs/x-rays later.
I am grateful that other than the first week, I have not been in pain at all.  However, the worry is that I may get arthritis in 5-20 years if I don't have an operation, so I'll take a year off from sports to help it heal.   Needless to say, I am quite active and plan to live a life predominantly on my feet, outdoors. 
I have met with one surgeon in Fall River and am going to Boston tomorrow to meet with another, but many seem to be on vacation.  I would like to get this over with ASAP so I might have a partial ski season because the recovery periond is +/- 6 months.
I have been very frustrated because I did not blow it on one fall, but rather cumulatively.  Also, as a bone injury, there is little I can do for rehab now.  Not to mention missing the entire 2009 mountain biking season.  Feel free to vent about your knee injuries as well.

Has anyone on NS had this specific problem, know anyone who has, or can recommend a good New England knee surgeon?  Thank you, KiP 

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