Hip replacement, or arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the disease parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts, called prosthesis.  The goal of hip replacement surgery is to increase mobility, relieve pain, and improve the function of the hip joint.  People who have hip joint damage that interferes with their daily activities and are not benefitting from treatment are candidates for hip replacement surgery.  The most common cause of hip joint damage is , but other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis (the death of bone caused by insufficient blood supply), injuries, bone tumors, and fractures can also lead to the breakdown of the hip joint.  Doctors used to reserve hip replacement surgery for people over 60 years old.  They thought that older people are less active and put less stress on the artificial hip than younger people.  In recent years, however, doctors have found that hip replacement surgery can be successful in younger people because technology has improved the artificial parts.  Today a person’s overall health and activity level is more important than age in predicting a hip replacement’s success. (Source: www.niams.hih.gov)

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