"Total replacement of the hip joint or hip replacement, THR, indicates the replacement of the body's natural hip joint bones with artificial parts, also known as prostheses"(Simon, 1998). A number of diseases impair the hip joint bones so that THR becomes the most viable alternative to unbearable pain and/or inability to walk. "The factors that indicate a need to perform total hip arthroplasty surgery is usually severe joint degeneration with hip pain that doesn't respond to oral analgesics, disturbs sleep and limits the ability to walk or climb stairs" (Dunajcik, 1989). The focus of this paper is to demonstrate the effects of THR surgery on middle-aged individuals. The information includes the effects the illness will have on the patient's physical state and Erikson's developmental stages were used to assess emotional state. The effects that surgery will have on the patients' social, intellectual, spiritual, and social development were also examined. Discharge concerns such as proper administration of medications, limitations of movement as not to displace the hip and other concerns were addressed. Also, possible community resources were located for the patient's needs. ...