In reply to Bob:
Bob, well I start the physio next week, but I am not sure what it is likely to achieve, I think I sort of wanted it rather than surgery but reading all the posts it now seems I'd be better of biting the bullet and getting a replacement sooner rather than later. I also think the deterioration seems to have picked up speed although that might just be a mental issue.
I have had my hips Xrayed already, I had started to limp very badly especially after any exercise and after a mountain bike ride earlier this year one of my mates nagged me to go and see someone, as a result I went to see his chiropractor/sports injury specialist, it was him that wrote to my GP and said I needed an Xray. He also saw the Xray (as the hospital is across the road from his practice) after that he said you are in replacement territory and to give him some credit he said there's nothing else I can do for you. I then went to the GP who talked very briefly about replacement and resurfacing but it was very brief. Now armed with a bit more information I can perhaps get this moving in the right direction a little quicker.
I read a lot of similarities between where you were and I am, aching nagging hip for a lot of the time, on my right side I struggle to tie my shoe, put my sock on and cut my toe nails, it was your blog that I read where you said about your knee muscles I seem to have that as well. I'm also starting to drink a brandy or something else every night just to take the edge off it (although I did manage sober three weeks of october).
I used to think I was a fit young rock climber and mountaineer, over the last six months I have turned into an old bloke with a bad limp.
Thanks for all yours and everyone else's advice. By the way when you are going to have something done on the NHS how much choice is there when it comes to which surgeon does it?
Barry