The fear of the unknown may move hip-pain-afflicted patients to avoid or postpone their scheduled hip replacement operation, health care providers observe. Pain in the hips may drive a person to the wall when their distress is not easily relieved by rest, physical therapy or medications. Hip replacement surgeries are often done as a last recourse for most severe cases that are not responding well to the usual treatment. There are certain reasons for which surgeons may suggest going through the operation as early as possible while others may advise the patient to try other options first. The decision still lies with the patient's prerogative when it comes to their own health and well-being.

Those who believe the necessity of trying other options before deciding on a hip replacement surgery have given the following reasons:

- It takes time to make the body and mind ready for the surgery and its outcome. This is a life-changing decision and not an easy to one to make. The patient needs to have proper mental preparation before the procedure.

- The outcome of the surgery differs with each person. Others had a good outcome while some did not. The risk of encountering infection, blood clots fractures, dislocations and loosening of the implant may be encountered after the surgery.

- The pain may be managed by analgesics, topical creams and even physical therapy. Orthopaedists say that lack of movement may worsen the diseased and specific joint exercises may improve the condition entirely.

- The implant holds the likelihood of being worn down overtime. Manufacturers claim that the implant may last for 15 to 20 years, but in real terms this may vary for each individual, depending on their use.

- The possibility that the implant may fail is also one of the most pressing issue related to hip replacements. Several men and women have complained of their implants failing after just a year of two having them.

- Metal poisoning from the metal particles ensuing from hip implants is also possible. Patients have been tested of metallosis and were found to have high levels of cobalt and chromium in their blood.

The dangers surrounding hip replacement operations have been experienced by several men and women who had gone through the surgery. For this reason, doctors educate and inform their patients of the risks involved before performing the operation. There are even some people who opted to file DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement cases against the manufacturer toward obtaining cost recovery and compensatory damages for corrective procedures.