“How do I know when it’s time?” is the question I hear most in clinic. The honest answer: you usually know before your X-ray does. Arthritis on a scan matters far less than what your hip is doing to your life.
The three questions I ask every patient
Is pain waking you at night? Is your walking distance shrinking? Have you given up things you love? If two of those are true, it is worth a conversation. If all three are, you have probably waited longer than you needed to.
What if you are “too young”?
Age alone rarely decides. Modern implants and careful planning mean younger, active patients can do extremely well — a special interest of mine. What matters is matching the implant and the technique to the decades ahead of you.
“You usually know it’s time before your X-ray does. Listen to your life, not just your scan.”
The next step
A consultation commits you to nothing. We will look at your imaging together, talk honestly about every option — including waiting — and you will leave with a clear plan either way.
