I had shoulder replacement surgery on Dec. of 2010. When my doctor got in, my bones were black. He sent off a sample to pathology and results came back as ochronosis. I have had blue cartlige in my ears for about the past 20 years and no doctor new what is was. My family doctor has gotten me into a trial study at Emory University. I'm not sure when I will go, but I was curious as to what this trial will entail. I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease in my back in 1992. My right shoulder was beginning to hurt along with my right knee before I even knew about having ochronsis. Are these pains ochronosis? Are there any tests that can be run to determine if it is ochronosis or just arthritis? Is there anything that I can be doing to slow down the process?