Well here is my story. I had 5 different tries with a hip replacement each one resulting in infe tons. After many rounds of antibiotics and PICC lines and 6 months with NO hip they decided it was enough and would not go back in. Mayo Clinic said I was too young to live without a hip so they said they would attempt it one more time. The day before the surgery they called and said - for no particular rhyme or reason- that they would not be doing the surgery after all. I went 6 years with no hip and a 3 inch length discrepancy and shoe lifts. I too did not use a cane or walker. My gait was all messed up. I decided - after 6 years - to ask my doctor if he would consider one more try since we did a knee replacement and I had no complications from that. Well he agreed and I just passed the 4 week mark for my new hip. While I love that I am now even with both legs - I am in I so much pain from nerve endings that I cry most of the time. I am in Physical therapy three times a week and on Robaxin but let me tell you the pain can be unbearable. I see my doctor on Wednesday and I sure hope he reassures me that it will just take longer this time and that there is no permanent damage. I so cant use this leg - years of walking the way I did really messed up the muscles in this leg and I am unable to lift it up when I am lying on my back. and I am starting to worry. My doctor said they really had to pull and stretch to get the 3" length back so...... At this moment I would give back the hip and go without it again if I was told this pain wouldnt t go away!!!