The Hip Replacement Procedure An 8 to 10 inch incision is made on the side of your hip to gain access to the ball and socket portion of your joint. The implants are made from metal alloy and a form of plastic called polyethylene, and they replace only the damaged bone and cartilage in the hip. The implants are designed to restore a more normal joint function and to reduce or eliminate pain in joints previously affected by arthritis. The bones in the hip are exposed by an incision approximately 8 to 10 inches long. The damaged sections of bone are to make room for the replacement components. The thighbone receives a metal alloy stem and ball and the pelvis receives a metal cup and liner. Traditionally, the metal cup is lined with polyethylene (plastic) to act as healthy cartilage. However, modern technology has allowed advancements in both metal and ceramic liners. These components now give the patient and surgeon additional options for hip replacement. Your surgeon will evaluate your specific condition and may be able to tell you which option will provide the most favorable results. Content provided by Orthopaedic Avenue a site published by Biomet, Inc.