This is an X-Ray of my left hip prior to 23 March 2009.  It shows the hip socket is "worn out."  That is, much of the cartilage is is gone or damaged and the joint is arthritic. 

So, I had two choices: do nothing and live with the ever increasing pain and loss of mobility, or, have  total hip replacement surgery.

I made my choice.  On Monday, 23 March, I underwent hip replacement surgery .  I’m now well on the road to recovery. I am on a regimen of daily exercises and twice-weekly outpatient physical therapy sessions. 

Prior to the surgery, the hip problem had been causing severe pain in my left knee. Although I still have some of the pain normally associated with the surgical procedure and subsequent healing, my left knee is now pain-free.

I’ll be posting more about life with my new hip as I progress through the post-operative regimen.