The right time to have joint replacement surgery is when the pain you experience is interfering with your life and you really want something done about it. Some people decide to have surgery because they are no longer able to work and this surgery can make a significant difference to their lives. Some cannot walk around the golf course and cannot bear the thought of being unable to play. Others will put up with pain and wait a long time, choosing only to have surgery when they can no longer walk from the bed to the bathroom.  It’s a personal and very subjective decision. I always advise patients to take their time, really think it over and have surgery when it suits them.