Arthritis is the most common cause for hip replacement surgery. A degenerative joint disease found mostly in middle-aged and older adults called Osteoarthritis, causes the collapse of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the hips. Rheumatoid arthritis that leads to pain and stiffness, due to inflammation of the synovial membrane that results in excessive synovial fluid. Traumatic arthritisis due to injury, can cause damage to the articular cartilage of the hip.
Preparations for the hip replacement surgery
Your physician may perform a complete physical examination, including x-rays to make sure that you are in good health before undergoing surgery in addition to a complete medical history.

Procedure to replace with an artificial hip
Usually surgery to replace a hip lasts for a few hours and it uses either cemented prostheses or uncemented prostheses as they are the two most common types of prosthesis available
A hip prosthesis is made up of metal and plastic. Surgical cement is used to attach to the bone in case of cemented prosthesis where as in uncemented prosthesis bone is attached with a fine mesh of holes on the surface, in order for the bone to grow into the mesh and attach naturally to the prosthesis.
Surgery is usually carried out under general anesthesia or with spinal anesthesia.
Precautions after surgery:
Several days in hospital stay is required by this kind of surgery. The patient begins to regain mobility with the help of physical therapy exercise. Patient is also relieved from pain and made comfortable with the help of medication

The incision will have stitches or staples that will be removed after a few weeks.

Certain modifications need to be made at home for speedy recovery. These modifications include the following:
Appropriate handrails along all stairs along with safety handrails in the shower or bath
Raised toilet seat
Shower bench or chair as required for safety along with long-handled sponge and shower hose
Firm pillows to raise the hips above the knees when sitting
Stable chair with firm seat cushion and firm back with two arms, which will allow your knees to be positioned lower than your hips.

Risks associated with hip replacement:
Formation of blood clots in leg veins due to injury to the veins during surgery or from decreased blood flow. Compression devices, such as elastic stockings, and exercise to increase blood flow through the veins thus providing a good relief
Risk of infection is very highr at the site of incision and in the deeper tissue near the new hip joint.
Breakage of the prosthesis is a rare possibility as it takes several years to disintegrate.. .
Loosening and stiffening of your hip joint which may cause pain and stiffness in your hip and may make it difficult to move.
The worst possibility could be change in length of your leg