Hi. I just posted about my experience with getting a hinge replacement. (Cookiemom, December 7). My best advice: get very thorough information from the doctor, talk to his or her NP or PA and anyone you can find who has had this type of replacement. Often it really is a last resort (I think this was the case with mine, though no one was very straightforward about that), so that has to be taken into account. I try to keep that perspective. I wish you the best of luck - along with patience, humor, and people to talk to. And a great PT!