Tobias

Am assuming that you take NSAIDS such as Aleve or Motrin or Aspirin for your arthritis. As a veteran of bilateral THRs in my late 50s, I too relied on these drugs to keep me going for a few (about 4) years after I also was told that my hips were "shot". Aleve worked pretty good at first, then even at maximum dose, I couldn't walk any more. So, in addition to the pain, you also may have the portent of increasing disability in your future. The longer you wait, the more likely that your disability will become more serious. Mine got to the point where I couldn't take a step without a cane. I got to the OR just in time to side-step the next stages which would probably have included crutches and/or a wheelchair. As it was I still feel that I waited too long.

This isn't the kind of surgery that one necessarily needs to "rush" to. There's a reason that THR is referred to as "elective surgery". There is some wiggle room. You might have it 2 months from now or a year from now. This would be up to you. But do consider that the longer you go, the more likely your hip problem will begin to affect your quality of life. Maybe the pain meds will become less effective or you will develop GI problems from using them. You begin to sit more, do less, start measuring walking distances because it's too uncomfortable to walk far. I did all of these things, made many accommodations to cope with my increasing disability. First it was a matter of shopping all day or shopping half a day. Then it went from shopping in a mall to shopping only at stores that had shopping carts. From there I only shopped when I could park close to the store. And I quit my job because I just couldn't get through a day any more. For me, this was the last straw. And looking back, I waited too long, gave up more than I needed to, just because I was afraid of having the surgery and couldn't believe that moi could need THAT operation!.

You now have the luxury of some time to consider your decision; shop around for a good surgeon; and plan your life to accommodate major surgery and the sometimes lengthy recuperation and rehabilitation period that follows.