Total hip replacement surgery, also called total hip arthroplasty, may be recommended for patients with chronic hip pain or hip mobility issues caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, serious hip injuries or a hip fracture.

Hip replacement surgery is generally recommended for people who have not or no longer respond to other treatment options, such as medication and physical therapy.

Your doctor or orthopedic specialist can review the pros and cons of hip replacement surgery and help you decide if surgery is the right treatment pathway for you.

Recovery time from hip replacement surgery may vary from patient to patient and can also depend on several factors, including general health at time of surgery, age, weight and more. However, most people are able to resume light, daily activities 3 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Talk to your doctor about how to prepare for hip replacement surgery and what recommendations to follow after surgery to improve your outcomes and recovery time.

Hip replacement surgery may last 1 to 2 hours. During the procedure, your doctor will remove damaged bone and/or cartilage from the hip.

Following the removal of the damaged cartilage and bone, new implants (metal, plastic or ceramic) will be positioned to realign and restore the function of the hip.

Yes, there are several precautions and recommendations to follow after hip replacement surgery, such as avoiding high-impact activities like running, jogging, jumping and other high-impact sports.

Your doctor may also outline special recommendations to follow — during the 6 weeks after hip replacement surgery — when sitting, bending and sleeping, as well as during sexual activity.