Younger THR patients

37f, scheduled for a right anterior THR mid-July. I’ve been dealing with hip issues since 2018 (FAI and labral tear progressing to severe osteoarthritis, tried two hip scope surgeries prior to this with no relief). In that time, I’ve spent a lot of hours cruising places like Reddit seeking others in similar situations and have noticed a marked increase in younger and younger people getting total hip replacements.

The very first doctor I saw in 2019 (yes I waited a year to consult anyone after having problems…dumb) told me I had moderate arthritis in addition to the year and FAI, and I’d have to wait til I was at least 50 to consider a replacement. My current surgeon didn’t bat an eye at my age.

Has the technology made that many leaps in five years to make it more possible for younger people to do this? Are we wearing our joints down earlier than older generations, or did people just live in pain longer (or both)? I cannot imagine living like this another 13 years, so I’m really wondering how previous generations managed or if this was just less common back in the day.