Hip replacement is surgery for people with severe hip damage or pain related to chronic osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other degenerative processes involving the hip joint. The surgical procedure for a hip replacement involves removing the damaged cartilage and bone from the hip joint and replacing them with new, man-made parts. Hip replacement surgery can relieve pain, help the hip joint work more efficiently, and improve movement.

This measure reports infections at individual hospitals as a result of having a hip replacement procedure. 

• CDPHE Annual Report
  
  This report contains data related to hospital-acquired infections that occurred as a result of the following procedures: central lines in adults and neonates, total/partial hip replacements, total/partial knee replacements and coronary artery bypass grafts. This report contains data for infections that occurred between the reporting period of August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008.
  
  CDPHE 2009 Annual Report