I have lived in Mexico for almost 20 yrs., so there's no insurance in the U.S. for me. I can get a THR from the MX Socialized Insurance system, but it's not the best system. I have found a ortho surgeon here who is just beginning his practice on bone resurfacing which I have been researching for some time. He's had 3 other patients. The pain is so bad that I don't sleep w/o meds, but I AM an insomniac... w/pains shooting thru the groin area, I wake up screaming. I am 60, teach strength training in a swimming pool & used to play volleyball 3x a week. I have to be in a 'mindset' to have this surgery done due to my ADD which will make me crazy (crazier) during the rehab time. My surgeon said I will be having dinner at the dining room table in no time. He said he would do both hips at one time, during a 3 hr. surgery w/7 assistants. I have had major (cancer) surgery in MX & the caregivers & doctors are Gods compared to the cancer surgery I had in the U.S. You truly become a family friend of theirs. I am 13 yrs. post op breast cancer surgery & I still see my Oncologist once a year. In the states, they dismiss you after 5 yrs. I'd like some input on the 'double hip" surgery at one time; I'm bone-on-bone, both sides, very thin, small boned person. My doctors says I will be admitted on a Friday & home on Sunday & maybe should have someone 'around' for the first 5 days, no more. He said I would be on the walker or crutches IMMEDIATELY. Does this info sound in the least bit familiar to anyone else out there?
Sounds like it is time to take care of your hips. When they get as bad as yours surgery is the solution. I am a 53 male and had left hip resurfacing approximately two months ago. It has been a wonderful procedure for me. I was walking with no crutches after a week. I am back to hiking now. The bone on bone pain is completely gone. It is now a matter of strengthening leg muscles. However, I am 6 foot 1 inch and 210 pounds. My bone density is very good according to my surgeon. I tell you this because joint size and bone density are two important variables in hip resurfacing. I am not an expert but from what I have read small boned women have additional post op risk compared to larger boned people. This does not mean it is impossible to do a resurfacing just that there is additional risk of complications.
This brings me to a second point. Resurfacing is a relatively complex surgery and you want a doctor that has done a good number of them (100 plus). Especially if you are in a higher risk category for complications.
I highly recommend resurfacing but if you are not a good candidate then a large ball metal on metal hip replacement is the next best option.
Keep working towards getting surgery to repair your hips. Hopefully, others will post some opinions/options for you.