In short:
Found specialist that I was comfortable with. Very highly rated, all they do is "Specialty Surgery" on joints & backs.
Talked to doc. Good guy and fully informative.
Pre-surgery appointment was a "Go".
Slice and Dice last Wednesday, 6th March. Belated B'day present to myself I guess.
Out of hospital Thursday AM (held over due to possible prostate problems but none evidenced)
PT #1 Friday. "Dancing" with walker (Ha!). Full weight on joint OK, just slow careful going.
I plan to be raring-to-go by end of April latest. At least as far as getting out to some parks etc. to play radio in the sun.

Got to find a "Fancy Walking Cane" for the more formal outings like club meetings, and to whack those who don't move quickly enough...
I have plenty of walking sticks for the more 'pedestrian' usages...some equipped with antenna mounts.

All for now.
Mac/WT4BT