Your orthopedic surgeon will assess the damage to your hip through a series of tests to determine whether a hip replacement is the best choice for you. Evaluating the pain in your hip usually starts with X-rays. An X-ray helps doctors see how your joints come together, reveals any bony defects or deformity and provides information about how strong your bones are. When an X-ray shows wear in your hip, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan (MRI) is usually performed. The MRI provides a clearer picture of the extent of the wear and how it is effecting the rest of the hip.

Should your condition require hip replacement surgery, your surgeon evaluates whether a traditional total hip replacement, anterior approach hip replacement or hip resurfacing is the best option for you. 

Prior to surgery you can also expect standard pre-operative tests, including blood work, a cardiogram, urine sample and chest X-ray. These tests check to see if you are healthy enough to undergo surgery. Patients may also be required to stop taking certain medications until after surgery.