I'm 72 and while my x-ray indicates severe osteoarthritis in one hip (moderate in the other), I've decided to not go ahead yet with hip replacement surgery. I've been told it's not what the x-ray shows but your degree of pain and debilitation. While the pain can sometimes wake me up at night, it's rarely ever bad enough that I feel the need to go ahead with it. My left hip area and down the leg is often a bit sore but it doesn't prevent from going out on hour long walks. I've decided to wait until the pain is far more intense - maybe it will never come to that. I keep active with walking and light strength training.