You will be seen by an anesthesiologist before your surgery. Anesthesia for total hip replacement surgery is usually either general anesthesia (where you are asleep during the procedure) or epidural anesthesia (where you are awake during the procedure). Your anesthesiologist will work with you to choose the best type of anesthesia. Surgical Procedure The surgical procedure lasts several hours. Your surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and bone and insert a metal or polyethylene prosthesis to correct the deformity and restore the function of your hip joint. There are many types of artificial joint prostheses in use today, and they come in different designs and materials. However, they all consist of the same two parts: the femoral head prosthesis and the acetabular prosthesis. Bone cement may also be needed to fill the space between the prosthesis and the bone to allow better fixation of the prosthesis. There are also non-cemented prostheses, which are mainly used in younger, more active patients. These prostheses have a special structure on the surface or are coated with a bone-like substance to allow bone to grow into the prosthesis. It is also possible to use a cemented femoral prosthesis and a non-cemented acetabular prosthesis. Your surgeon will select the best prosthesis for you. After surgery, you will be taken to the anesthesia recovery room to be monitored by an anesthesiologist for 1 to 2 hours until you are fully awake and then you will be taken back to your room. During your hospitalization You will remain in the hospital for a few days after the surgery. You will experience pain in your hip after surgery, which will be relieved by the usual painkillers. To avoid lung complications after surgery, you will need to breathe deeply and cough up sputum. Early after surgery, you may need a V-shaped cushion to be placed between your legs to avoid inward motion of the hip joint. It is very important for your recovery that you stay in bed and walk on the floor with some light activity under the supervision of your rehabilitation provider. Most patients will need a walker and a physical therapist to start walking after surgery. Your Physical Therapist will guide you through specific functional exercises to restore strength and motion to your hip and gradually return you to a normal life. Possible Complications After Surgery The incidence of complications after total hip replacement surgery is very low. The incidence of serious complications such as joint infection is less than 2%. Major medical complications such as cardiovascular complications are very rare. Thrombosis of the lower extremities or pelvis is the most common complication of total hip replacement surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe preventive measures such as the use of elastic bandages for the lower extremities and the use of blood thinners. Although complications are rare, when they do occur, they will affect your entire recovery process.