Should I have a hip replacement? Advice please.

If the pain, as you say, has been 'building up' and you have been given the choice, I'd say it's a 'no brainer'. I can't see what the alternative is, other than to soldier on with the pain just getting worse. Don't worry about the legs crossing - you probably won't feel like doing that after the op! Life is so much better when the pain is gone and, take my word for it, even if there's a bit of post-op discomfort, the awful nagging arthritic pain is gone with the old hip.

I had my knee replaced last year but everyone I've met since, who has has their hip done, have been very pleased with the result. Lots of swimming therapy afterwards will help a lot with your recovery.

Tha advice re crossing your legs and sitting on a higher chair is for at least 6 weeks post op .
If I had given in and had it done sooner I would not have the back pain now

As Charleygirl5 says if it’s impacting your sleep and quality of life then it’s a no brainer. The pain will be gone when you wake up it’s that quick. You will get all the advice and help before your surgery that you need plus they will give you a raised toilet seat and a long handled grabber which you will need for a few weeks. Life gets back to a new pain free normal after that. Good luck. If you have any questions ask away there are plenty here who’ve been through it.

I had mine because my hip kept locking in place - once when I was conducting a choir!

That was the decider for me.

You will get loads of advice both written and verbal as to what you can and can't do and for how long after the surgery.

If pain from your hip is affecting your sleep my personal opinion is that is the time to have it done.

You should not cross your legs after the surgery- you may get away with it but most likely you will dislocate your new hip.You will have to think ahead- is my chair high enough for me? Is my bed? Will I need to get a raised loo seat from the hospital -how am I going to cope with food ordering?

For six weeks post op you will have to sleep on your back, preferably with a pillow or two between your legs. I suggest you practice that now.

The list is fairly long but you will receive help from the OT at the hospital. There will be lots of help for you on here.

It depends what your bad hip is stopping you from doing and how much the pain is impacting on your life.
Is it stopping you from taking any form of exercise that would have a health benefit? (Hiking, dancing, cycling)?
Are you taking a level of pain relief that you would prefer not to?
Is the sore hip making your posture worse and having a knock-on effect on your other hip or back?
In other words, could you be healthier and would life be better if you didn’t have pain in your hip?
It’s a personal choice - but I know several people who have had hip replacements and are very pleased with the outcome. The post-operative management seems to have changed in the last few years and the latest one, a few weeks ago, was back driving 2 weeks after surgery.