Pain relief is the most reliable potential benefit and often the major reason for surgery. For most people, hip replacement surgery also offers better movement, strength, and coordination of the torso and leg. Another benefit is an improvement in the appearance of the limb. Most people who develop a limp in order to cope with the pain of an arthritic condition will no longer limp after surgery. Hip replacement surgery may mean the difference between having to use a walker or cane and being able to walk, climb stairs, and maintain a relatively active and independent life.

Surgery is performed by means of open incision. A typical operation may take 1 to several hours. The diseased ball end of the thighbone (the femur) is removed so that the socket can be seen. The bony socket is fashioned to contain a new metal and/or plastic socket. This prosthesis is usually made of medical grade plastic and is the bearing surface. Titanium or cobalt chromium alloy are metals commonly used in prostheses for joints in the body.

The femur is then prepared for the stem and a smooth ball is attached. The ball is then placed in the socket and the surgery is finished. A bone cement may be used for either or both stem and socket.