I will need this someday -- right hip is quite arthritic. My ortho gave me the same advice: put it off as long as possible because the technology is changing so rapidly.

He did a double arthroscopy (kknee joint cleaning out) on me two years ago which did not good at all. He said I was too young (53 then) for a replacement but he would have gone aheads and done it while I was under if I had been older. The gel shots helped some, but not as much as VIOXX! What a great drug! My primary care doc isn't so happy, as I'm diabetic and it (vioxx)can mess up your kidneys -- but only if they already have damage, which I do not.

Better living through chemistry.