Hello Stargirl. I'm 71, live in Michigan and almost 2 years now without a hip due to severe infection in bone and muscles. I get around with a walker in the house and crutches when I go out. I can go up & down stairs with one crutch and a handrail. I can walk a short distance in the house with just one crutch or a cane, but I wouldn't trust myself to do it outside. I ride an upright exercise bike daily and also bought a tricycle last summer and road that. I did have an issue in the fall where I tore my meniscus in my good leg along with a stress fracture in that knee also which has set me back some. However, I am not giving up and continue to do my daily exercises daily for about an hour. That is a lifelong commitment to staying as strong as possible. I know it's not fun and gets boring, but it must be done to make the best of it. My leg is about 3 inches shorter and my husband has glued bottoms of soles I've cut off on one shoe to another to equal out my legs pretty good. That makes a big difference when walking so you don't hurt in other areas. He's become a good cobbler making my shoes, which is good because to have them make professionally, it costs about $200 for one shoe! There is also a Facebook forum page called "Hip Replacement Complication Forum" which has helped me a lot. If you are on Facebook, you may want to join that too. I have struggled with weight gain since my surgery also and about 25 pounds overweight and find it very difficult to lose weight but I'm trying. I do attempt some chair yoga from time to time, but haven't gotten into a habit of it yet. I was very active before all this happened so it has been difficult, but results are attainable if you keep at it. I just use Tylenol and Mobic (NSAID) for my pain. I'm on antibiotics for the rest of my life for "chronic Osteomyelitis" of femur and pelvis. (Infection in the bone) I pray you can get your pain under control so you can continue with exercises. Any exercises to strengthen your core muscles, Quadriceps and gluteal muscles are what needs to be done. I got lots of exercises to do after my surgery and had home care and Physical Therapy for 6 weeks. Those are what I still do as well as others I've found online. Everyone progresses at their own pace so don't feel frustrated. Just keep trying and do the best you can. I too have hopes of just walking with a cane or even one crutch some day, but I'm not sure it will ever happen for me, especially if I'm going to keep injuring my good leg/knee trying! Defintely not worth that. Wishing you all the best and feel free to send me a private message through this Mayo site if you want to....prayers for wellness.......Cindy