Why it's done

Conditions that can damage the hip joint, sometimes making hip replacement surgery necessary, include:

• Osteoarthritis. Commonly known as wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis damages the slick cartilage that covers the ends of bones and helps joints move smoothly.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. Caused by an overactive immune system, rheumatoid arthritis produces a type of inflammation that can erode cartilage and occasionally underlying bone, resulting in damaged and deformed joints.
• Osteonecrosis. If there isn't enough blood supplied to the ball portion of the hip joint, such as might result from a dislocation or fracture, the bone might collapse and deform.

You might consider hip replacement if you have hip pain that:

• Persists, despite pain medication
• Worsens with walking, even with a cane or walker
• Interferes with your sleep
• Makes it difficult to get dressed
• Affects your ability to go up or down stairs
• Makes it difficult to rise from a seated position