The doctor tell's me my right hip is worn out, he pointed out the issues on the xray.
I wasn't complaining about it, I have no pain issues with it, all I've noticed is less flexibility in that hip.

I'm giessing with all the other old codgers on here, someone might be able to let me know what to expect in the future. Me; 68 y.o., 6 foot, 180#, can still out-hike most people 1/3 to 1/2 my age.

Should I expect replacement at some time? Any other suggestions?

Whatever you decide, the important part is doing the PT religiously !

I thought in Alaska they just left you on an ice drift and called it good.

That's sort of my longterm strategy; hopefully I can coordinate everything to breakdown at about the same time, them someone can "take me out fishing".

replacement is based on your pain level only. When you hurt enough, get it replaced. The only other consideration would be is this: if it takes 5 years for it to bother you, and in 5 years you'll be unhealthy enough that nobody will do surgery on you, you might consider getting it done sooner. Awfully hard to predict the future though.

Crab bait !

If it’s not bothering you I would wait to get it done. I just had my hip done 6 weeks ago after dealing with hip pain for 15 years. . It was easy out patient surgery. Got two new knees and getting my second hip done in December. Life is good

Good point Dean.
I had both done... first one I was 62 next one at 63.
Wife is a nurse and she asked around about a good Doc. She found a
good one. He assigned a pre-surgery set of exercises and it worked well.
White hit it on the head though, the post PT is vital....to quick recovery.
Good Luck!

I had my left done at age 68 or 69 when the pain got too bad to tolerate. Recover was uneventful with about 3 weeks of PT. Trapped beaver with the aid of a cane after 4-5 weeks. I think most surgeons are using the anterior approach now. It was recommended by my primary to find a surgeon using the anterior approach.

Had my left one done 3 months ago.
Wouldn't have it done if it doesn't hurt. Trust me you'll know when it's time.
PT BEFORE surgery to stretch you out is just as important as post surgery PT

When I woke up from surgery, all of 20 minutes later physical therapist was there and I was in a walker going up and down the halls and up and down a set of stairs. Sent me home 2 hours later. They gave me 10 days of pain pills (hydrocodone 7.5). Used then for 5 days and saved the rest for physical therapy. I would take one pill an hour before therapy.

My other hip looks terrible in xrays but I have ZERO pain. Doc said wait till it starts hurting THEN give him a call

Ball and socket joint pain relief was 100% instant relief, but was replaced by surgery pain. So glad I had it done.

Good luck and take care. If I can answer any questions you have please feel free to PM me.

My wife had her hip replaced about 10 years ago. She said the next day after surgery her hip felt better than the day before she had it done. They told her to use a walker the first week. The second week she could use a cane. She used a walker the first day and a cane for a couple days after that. Nothing after that. They gave her a prescription for pain pills which she never filled. She got by on over the counter acetaminophen.

I had both done at the same time, they were so bad I could barely walk to the mailbox and back, it was time...If one doesn't hurt then put it off, you'll know when it's time...That's what the surgeon said, lol

I have heard stories from both ends of the spectrum. But recently according to Dave.........The compassionate thing to do is to just shoot you !!! Might want to get a second opinion. Good Luck. G.

Your x ray is probably showing a thinning of the cartilage in your hip joint. Thats osteoarthritis. As long as there’s any cartilage keeping you from going bone on bone, ( top of the hip bone to your pelvis ) , you’re not going to experience debilitating pain. But when it wears out, you’ll be begging for surgery asap. One of my hip wore out like that…..kept thinning over time. The other wore out uneven, still had cartilage in half the joint, half was bone on bone.


Had one replaced in 2008, the other in 2012. Easy surgery, recovered fast.

If you dont have any pain,and otherwise doesnt affect what you want to do,I would wait.

My wife goes in tomorrow for right hip replacement I can let ya know what she says in couple of days

This^

It’s the toughest part by far. You think you’re feeling better so you start doing things you shouldn’t and stop doing things you should. Risk of dislocating goes way down after 8 weeks of following PT and rules. Wife is on week 9. Gets the other side done in Aug.

One thing to consider is the older you are the more complications from anesthesia. Lots of old people don’t wake up the same as when they went under. That said, if I were in your shoes there is no way I would go through it until or if rather, it becomes unavoidable.

Rule #1

If it ain't broke...don't fix it

My wife has had both hips replaced and she made it look like a walk in the park compared to my knee replacements.
My sister has had hips and knees done and hips and way easier.