In the first instance most patients should make an appointment to see their General Practitioner. The doctor is likely to make an assessment of your hip symptoms and recommend any neccessary tests and appropriate pain killers and/or anti inflammatory medications. If the symptoms remain troublesome and do not respond satisfactorily to these treatments, then it is likely that he or she will refer you to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon.
An Orthopaedic Surgeon is a specialist in bone and joint problems and some Orthopaedic Surgeons specialise in Hip and Knee joint replacement surgery. Your GP may refer you to one such if available locally. The length of time that you may have to wait to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon varies across the country but can be up to 8 -10 months in some NHS Hospitals.
At your first appointment with the Specialist, a detailed assessment of your hip problem will be carried out. The Surgeon will examine you and will obtain the appropriate X-rays. He is likely to recommend hip replacement surgery if he finds that your hip has been irreversibly damaged, your pain and other symptoms are not improving with medicines and if you are medically fit to undergo the operation. The Specialist will then explain what is involved in the operation and what the risks and benefits are likely to be. If you agree to go ahead with the operation, then you are likely to be placed on a waiting list. The length of time that patients have to wait on the list for surgery varies from region to region but can be as long as 18 months. If that is the case in your area, you may wish to take up this issue with your GP who may know of Orthopaedic Surgeons with a shorter waiting time and agree to refer you accordingly.