Hip replacement or alternative?

I am puzzled: I have been told I have a right hip in very bad condition, with major loss of cartilage; said to be arthritic, with bone on bone apposition and cysts. This has been going on for quite a few years, it seems, as running has become increasingly difficult to impossible (particularly on downgrades and rough trails). I have been told conflicting stories about what to expect from a hip replacement. My (current) physician has told me that a new hip will allow me to do everything I used to do (before the actual replacement recommendation; at that time, he suggested it might come to that). Then, he said “except running.” (Unnerving words, to say the least.) Later, when imaging results indicated said severe damage, he pretty much told me that a hip replacement is a must, and I just might be able to merely jog. This contradicts what one of my running friends told me: to the effect of "get the replacement.It's a breeze, You will probably be passing all of us up...” (I have been told that she got a hip replacement, and she can run.) Hence two people said that hip replacement is a must, but with quite different ramifications. I must say, a hip replacement which would allow me to do everything I could previously do, except running would leave me pretty much no better off than I am right now. Furthermore, I have read that the first hip replacement took place back in the early 1960s, and there have been some 60 years worth of major improvements. If such is the case, how could any physician suggest that a hip replacement in 2021 could possibly be not even good enough for running? Also: I have read about what be on the cutting edge in medical science: that it is possible to regrow joint cartilage More specifically, normal cartilage, and not fibrocartilage. For example, apparently as of August, 2020, such has been determined to be possible at Stanford Medicine. A European group has indicated the same. I think they inject a certain “powerful” bone building protein. Subsequently, something else is administered to keep the new growth as cartilage, instead of forming into bone material. In the wake of this sort of news, I am increasingly hesitant to consent to a hip replacement. I would rather seek to avoid further damage and hold out for maybe an alternative like this.

I have read a little about how maybe TENS and ultrasound maybe can stimulate cartilage growth. I at least somewhat believe that one or more consumable products can grow cartilage, and if so, such would take a while (I can live with that.) (Glucosamine/chondroiton in large quantities did indeed seem to help a knee issue.) I am giving another product a try; it is still quite early.

The said prognosis my physician has given me has raised these questions: why do I not have any particular pain resulting from ordinary walking, although I often walk somewhat lopsidedly, but not painfully? Why do I have no problem getting out of a chair? Why do I experience no "grinding" as a result of bone on bone apposition? I'm thinking, more importantly, I may have other joints which are less than optimal. Although, currently, my knees don't scream at me as one of them did at one time, would it not be better to opt for a more “whole body” approach? In any case, the idea of consenting to a hip replacement smells too much like giving into this option before I am ever allowed to give the alternative half a chance.

Anyone else in a similar situation? I, like many of my running friends are sixtysomethings; one seventysomething and still running. I say, Just Say No to a Hip Replacement if it is suggested that such might not even be good enough for one activity which I consider a vital part of human existence: Running.

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