<s>[INST] I have pain in my right hip that has increased over the last six months; it is alieved somewhat by advil 3 in am and 3 in pm, but it is very limiting; stairs, forget it. grocery store, by the end of a normal shopping trip, I am hanging on my cart and limping and in agony. MRI scheduled for one more week. Assume it is arthritic. Is replacement of a hip the only remedy? [/INST] Dear patient hip arthritis is likely possibility. Diagnosis can be done from X-ray of the pelvis with both hips anteroposterior and frog leg views if it is advanced. Mri of the right hip may be needed for early stage disease. If X-ray is normal and MRI is showing arthritis changes it means disease is early and replacement can be delayed. If X-ray changes are obvious total joint replacement is the best option. It is very rewarding surgery with excellent results. Prosthesis shelf life is also long nowadays and long term studies are also available. Other option is joint fusion which is absolute procedure and gas poor results. </s>