@laughlin1947: I see you've posed some thoughtful questions here over time at Mayo Clinic Connect and have been engaged in several helpful dialogs about issues many of us can relate to as we age.

In regard to bone health, it can come as a shock to many to learn that signs of degeneration can show up on imaging as early as one's 20's. When I had been involved in reviewing disability claims as a nurse, I learned that up to 40% of people in that age category could show such changes in their spine, whether they were having pain or not. So as the years wear on, the wear and tear on on our bones and cartiledge does as well - to varying degrees. These degrees may impact our pain level and ability to function. In a few individuals, however, they have no such effect. In other words, the picture on the imaging (X-ray or MRI) is only a part of the story.

When you mentioned that an orthopedic doctor had called you with a great deal of concern about getting a hip replacement soon after you had inquired, I wonder if this had been based on that inquiry and the review of your films. Perhaps the doctor had been under the impression you had asked because you were having accompanying pain and loss of function typically seen with that type of picture. Perhaps upon review of a detailed history in which you denied any associated issues, the orthopedist was able to take the whole picture into account, that being: there is no need for surgical intervention even with bone-on-bone arthritis without any significant complaints of pain that impact daily function. Although we often hear that surgeries like total hip replacements have become routine (I know, I just had one on Friday but I definitely did have increasing pain and mobility issues!) it's important to remember that surgery carries the risk of infection, blood clots or other complications. As long as the joint is functioning well, which it may continue to do indefinitely, there is no medical indication to operate and consider such potential.

However, should you begin to experience discomfort that leads to pain in the groin particularly that radiates outward or down the leg to the thigh/knee, you notice difficult putting on shoes/socks, lowering to/rising from a chair, ascending/descending stairs, ambulating distances that had not been a problem before or stiffness in the area, definitely report this to your medical provider for a full evaluation so the pain generator can be more fully evaluated and the proper treatment advised.

Please see the section in this accompanying guide on "hip replacement may be an option" and let me know if this information has helped as I hope it has!