Shellbyjazz,

Everyone is different. Your age, general state of health, support, resources to help, all are important to how well you do.
I had LTHR a little over 2 years ago. I was careful to select a highly-qualified ortho with excellent credentials. I won't go into the long version but bottom line, I am one of the unlucky ones who has damage to my femur nerve. In the beginning, it was unbearable, felt like fire ants in lower thigh and knee area, even a sheet touching it was painful. I was told by PA and Ortho it would gradually go away - at first a few months but gradually extended to 18 months. I am at 26 months now. It has improved, but still have later thigh nerve tightness/discomfort that bothers me, makes my leg feel "heavy" and is really unpleasant. I tolerate pain well, I think, and am getting used to it. The Ortho said my femur was retracted maybe a bit too long or tight and bruised or irritated my femur nerve. Nothing really helps it (TENS, PT), but walking is good for it, and I attend exercise classes for stretching, strengthening, and balance. I guess I will just have to learn to live with it. My right hip (unoperated) is bone on bone, same length of time as my left (operated). But I am NOT going to get surger on the right until it hurts bad because I may "swap the witch for the devil." I realize this is a rather negative story, but it is true, and THR is seriously invasive and no guarantees. As far as support, with Medicare you may get 2 weeks in rehab, that's it. Unless you are on some form of benefit program like Medicaid (not Medicare) or are lucky to have Fed Govt Tri-Care with more benefits, you will have to pay, most likely, for help and support. I was on the walker about 30 days, then gradually walking, but I could not do housework. I have 3 cats and certainly could not learn over to scoop the litter, little things like that. So I hired part--time caretakers a few hours each day from an agency to help with housework, cooking, and light chores. Today for the first time since my LTHR surgery, I plan to begin with my golf again. I believe I can manage it and have missed it so much. The Mentor gave good advice, listen to it. Best of luck!!! 🙂 (I did not proof this)