I had both my hips replaced, one 9 years ago and one 7 1/2 years ago (Both Birmingham hips). Recovery was pretty good even back then, I was driving within a couple of weeks and only used crutches in busy shopping centres after the first couple of weeks as the Doctor told me to. It was the best thing I could have done, my kids were only very young at the time and it mean't I could then chase after them and do almost everything they did. I hope I never need to have them redone (unfortunatly at my age it is very likely) and it's good to know that technology mean it hopefully will be easier the second time around.