[74gto]

I am in the same boat as you. I just turned 46 two weeks ago. I have no cartalige (SP?)left in my hip, have been bone on bone since at least 1997. My brother and I used to do landscaping and lawn maintence, and I continued to do Irrigation and low voltage lighting up until 2001.

Growing up, I walked funny and wore out shoes easily. I was suppose to wear leg braces when younger, but was told I hardly wore them. In high school I was exemted from my Physical Education requirement as long as I took our school swimming course. I basicly could'nt run, or not very fast without it hurting.

I am now to the point where I cannot bend and pick things up off the ground, I must support myself against a solid object to do so. On humid days, the pain starts getting a little annoying. I have started to take anti-inflamitories on bad days, helps a little with the pain. I have noticed in the last year or two the muscles in my leg are tighting up and making it harder to move, or stiffen up after getting up from a seated position to the point where I have to stop for a minute before I can actually walk.

The last time I was at the doctor in 1997, I was told that the process is to cut the top of the leg bone off, install a stainless steel ball, and they install the socket end of the hip in plastic or ceramic. I was also told that this would last from 10-15 years, and they would have to redo it. They cut your bone a second time and replace it again. I was told they can onlu do this twice in your lifetime, so the doctor told me I would be in my late 50, or early 60's and probably in a wheelchair, and to live with it as long as I could. I am also starting to inquire into the current hip replacement and see what the expectancy is now, as I'm sure a lot has changed in 15 years.

I have a 74 GTO with a cage, and I'm sorry to say, It's not much fun driving it anymore, as getting in and out of the car really sucks without being able to pivot your hip. My tow vehicle to go to the track is a Chevy Dually with a stick, and I also have a 74 Formula with a 4 speed. My left hip is bad, so driving them is also getting pretty painful. Complicating maters is I have been self employed for the last decade, and have a 10 month old baby. Between their health insurance payments, I have none on myself. I also do not know what the law or policy is on pre-existing conditions, so I will follow your thread and see how you make out. Good Luck, JOHN