I'm new to this site, although I've read all of the informative articles. I'm somewhere between too much information and not enough information.. After years of hip pain, I saw my doc 2 yrs ago and he ordered ct scan and xray. He said no problem. I used Advil and dealt with the pain until I was unable to sleep and my hip became unstable so I couldn't walk without holding the counter,etc for fear of falling. I returned to doc 3 mos ago and he referred me to phys therapy-said pain would be "like hell" but I would "completely" recover. Pain and instability became worse,so he put me on antiinflammatories and phys therapist gave me crutches. Crutches helped, antiinflam did not. When I ceased using crutches, pain became worse, etc. I returned to doc who ordered mri. I also ordered copy of mri. Doc said mri showed "hip breaking apart" bone spurs, dysplasia, bursa leakage, cartilage damage. He said the xray taken 2 yrs ago looked fine because he was looking at it straight on,but when looking at mri which showed 3-d image, he could now see damage. Funny that the mri report that I ordered showed the radiologist compared current info to 2 year xrays, and said orig xrays showed damage. I just got a doc that either didn't read the info or it fell through the cracks. My doc said I should google for a surgeon as he could not help me, he said he was just a "consumer" like me. He did say that the docs he spoke with about the mri said I was a "perfect candidate" for a hip resurfacing. So, I googled, and contacted a Dr. Boyd's office in my state, but his office recep said they had never had anyone call them before and ask questions,that I needed to set up appt. I called Dr. Amschultz in LA, and they said I needed to send xray and paperwork and they would determine my eligibility for a $360 fee. There is a Dr Shah here in my hometown, and I called his office and was told he's done 10 resurfacings. Here's the thing, I feel very alone and in pain and battling a torpor of not wanting to do anything because I'm overwhelmed. Do I have a current xray done, and send it to LA? Do I meet with the local surgeon, or go to Salem to see Dr. Boyd who's name is on the Dr list at this site? I would really be grateful to receive any comment.