A friend sent me an article about hip replacement, as I'm going to have to have one eventually. This is a new system, called BHR, which stands for Birmingham Hip Resurfacing. It involves lining both the socket and the top of the femur with a metal sheathe, which removes the cause of the pain. i.e. Bone rubbing on bone where the cartilidge has worn out. It is claimed that this restores full mobility to the extent that the lady who wrote the article, {Jan Silverstone} is now able to play tennis without any pain.
I'm afraid for our friends across the pond, the Birmingham in question, is the original one in Warwickshire England.
John