Doctors!

Bit of a long story - I have always had to be careful of my back after a riding accident 50 years ago so I sometimes see a chiropractor. Used to be just when I had done something I shouldn't, like energetic digging in the garden, but since moving house and finding a new chiropractor he has wanted to see me every three months to keep things on an even keel, but in the past year I have had more low back or hip pain from time to time. First ever episode of sciatica last summer which was sorted between chiro every week, me doing exercises every day without cheating and painkillers.

Then early November had to pack up my mother's house and arrange her move to a care home. After three days of packing and unpacking boxes I had the usual low back pain. Started painkillers and the exercise routine but no improvement so went back to the chiropractor. Usual chap on holiday so saw a different one who gave me a thorough going over and said she thought problem might be hip not back so wanted an x-ray. She arranged this privately (not too expensive) and when we saw these she said she was sure the pain was caused by osteoarthritis of the hip and only cure would be a replacement. It is VERY painful, I cannot stand any time at all - even have to sit down to clean my teeth!

Had to wait three weeks for doctor appointment to discuss way forward. He completely disagreed, did not want to look at xrays, said it could not possibly be osteoarthritis, certainly not candidate for joint replacement but I could be referred for physio if I wanted! I said I was going to go for a private referral to a consultant and GO just shrugged and said if I was prepared to pay of course consultant would say that new hip would sort the pain as it was money in his pocket.

Firstly, I am in a great deal of pain and life is misery. Cannot stand to do cooking or housework, cannot walk the dog, cannot walk round the shops, cannot stand in a queue, cannot sleep properly.
Secondly, find it hard to believe a consultant surgeon would recommend an operation unnecessarily.
Thirdly, is GP just saying no because they are under pressure to save NHS resources.

I have always been a fit and active person, and right now I feel crippled and desperate. Any advice or sympathy would be most welcome