Hip replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is usually undertaken when osteoarthritis has resulted in the wearing down of the hip joint. In a hip replacement operation the worn out and arthritic parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with a new, artificial hip joint. The new hip joint is called a prosthesis. Total hip replacement surgery should improve an individual's mobility, by reducing pain and improving the function of the hip joint. The procedure can also be performed via keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery in the right circumstances.
