My mother has had both hips replaced, one in 2006 and the other a year later and I can say hand on heart that it has changed her life 100%. She worked until she was 66 and almost immediately after retiring she developed pain in both hips. After being fobbed off by her GP for about a year, she saw a consultant privately (approx £150) and was put on the NHS waiting list for the op and had it about 5 months later. Obviously it wasn't till she had the 2nd one done that she got the full benefit! Both ops were straightforward, with no complications, she was kept informed at all times of all procedures and has only postive things to say about her hospitalization - even the food was good! Best wishes to your mum, please encourage her see a consultant, it really is a life changing op, that gave me my old mum back!