Carole Kenney used to lead an active life, commuting to London and playing tennis in her free time.

But for seven years she suffered pain in her hips that eventually became so agonising she had to change her working hours and give up the sport she loved.

Now Carole is looking forward to getting out on the court again this summer after a double hip replacement operation two months ago gave her back her life.

Carole's pain started in her knees when she was 39.

Doctors could find nothing wrong but when they checked other joints they discovered her hips were wearing down and causing the problem.

At first, the osteoarthritis did not stop Carole leading her life but it grew worse.

Eventually, she could not stand, sit or walk for long periods of time without acute pain and simple tasks such as getting out of the bath and putting on her socks became a problem.

After playing tennis she would dose herself up on strong prescription painkillers but she was forced to give up the sport three months before her operation.

Carole, who lives in Brighton, changed her working hours as a parliamentary reporter in London so she could get a seat on the train instead of having to stand during rush hour.

She gave up gardening and had to adapt to sitting down while cooking.

Carole says: "When I went out with friends I always had to make sure there would be a seat for me. I could not go anywhere crowded.

"If I had to stand in a queue for the supermarket I was in trouble.

"I got to a stage where I was leaving the shopping in the car for my husband to bring in."

The pain became so severe it would wake her up at night.

Carole says: "You always think hip trouble is an old person's complaint.

"I had quite a few tearful moments, especially in the evening, when it was quite sore and I had not done much in the day."

Seventy-five per cent of people who have hip replacements are over 65.

In younger people, a hip wearing out early is usually caused by an abnormality that was not detected at birth - thought to be the cause of Carole's trouble.

Other causes affecting younger people can be damage caused in an accident or rheumatoid arthritis.

Despite her fear of surgery, Carole decided she had to get on the waiting list for an operation.

She said: "It got pretty bad. I was adamant I was not going to allow a surgeon near me but by the time I got on the waiting list I could not wait."

Carole had her operation on March 2 as an NHS patient at The Horder Centre in Crowborough, an independent centre for joint replacement surgery.

Instead of a conventional hip replacement, she had a procedure called hip resurfacing, often the preferred choice for younger patients.

The operation, performed by consultant Hugh Apthorp, lasted three hours and Carole was discharged less than a week later.

Carole was unusual in having both hips operated on at once, which has allowed her to return to normal activity more quickly than usual.

She says: "I was not in immense pain when I came round - I was very groggy and sleepy at first.

"But the day after, the pain kicked in, which I was not prepared for.

"I asked them to throw as many pills at me as they could.

"That was a really miserable day. Apparently, I was anaemic so they gave me a blood transfusion. I picked up immediately."

When she got home, Carole used crutches to get around.

She was given a plastic seat, surgical stockings and a hook to pull up her socks and underwear, which she named her "knicker lifter".

Although she was still sore from the operation, her arthritic pain disappeared immediately.

She was housebound for three weeks but after five she could drive again.

She stopped using her crutches and had her final check-up two weeks ago and she hopes to get back to work soon, with a return to the tennis court pencilled in for July.

Carole now appreciates more than ever being able to perform the smallest of tasks without any pain.

She says: "I am looking forward to cutting my toenails.

"The high point was coming home and tearing up the prescription for pain killers.

"I threw the rest in the bin. I really enjoyed that.

"I am desperate to get back on the tennis court and standing in the kitchen to do the cooking is a hobby of mine.

"I am looking forward to doing a bit more entertaining and just going out for walks with friends."

All that is left to show of Carole's ordeal are two 7in scars, about 4in below the top of her thigh.

She says: "They would show with a swimsuit but they are a small price to pay and hopefully they will fade."

She urges anyone else suffering from hip pain to have an operation, saying: "Despite the discomfort I went through it got rid of that constant, nagging pain that was making life hell.

"I would like to thank Mr Apthorp and all the staff who were so wonderful."

Mr Apthorp said: "Carole has got going really quickly, despite the fact she did not have a good hip to rely on.

"She is doing fantastically well.

"When I last saw her at her six-week check she was walking almost normally without sticks.

"I'm delighted things have worked out so well."