@pjjr My hip replacement choice was obvious - at 54 I could no longer mount a bicycle or go up steep stairs - had immediate replacement of both joints, six weeks apart. The process was not without some bumps in the road due to later-recalled components, but twenty years later, I am still glad I had them done - my quality of life has been great.

But with other ortho surgeries, hand and shoulder, I waited until my pain was every day or function was impaired. My hand surgeon was insistent that one not wait "too long" as too severe damage limits surgical options and can slow healing or prevent full recovery. This happened to two friends, who ended up with more drastic surgeries and less use of the affected hands/wrists.

Another thing to consider - over the past 20 years I have had ay least 10 orthopedic surgeries, and the older I get, the longer it takes to recover, and the harder I have to work at my physical therapy. We are "watching" my knee carefully now to decide exactly what the sweet spot is for a replacement.

Has the doctor indicated why your hip "screams THR" - it is possible that damage is becoming severe enough to risk a failure/fall/fracture - that is a scenario to be avoided if at all possible.