There is no single threshold. The consultant weighs the X-ray stage against how much the hip limits you day to day, your age and activity demand, and what non-operative options remain untried. If it reads as too early, the review says so and sets out what to watch for.

It depends on retraction and muscle quality, not only on size. Where a repair is not realistic, other options exist and are set out explicitly — including reverse shoulder replacement in appropriate cases. The review states which category the imaging places you in and why.

For hips, a standing pelvis X-ray plus a lateral view of the affected hip; MRI is added for AVN, impingement or labral questions. For shoulders, MRI (or MR arthrogram for instability) plus plain films; CT is added when bone loss needs measuring.

Yes. Send both sets of imaging in one submission. If two subspecialties are involved, both consultants are named in the written plan before you decide anything.

That is set by the treating team based on your recovery and thrombosis risk, and confirmed before discharge rather than promised in advance. Typical inpatient stays are listed in the treatment tables above so you can plan around a realistic range.