The stronger nature of the replacement promises to make life substantially easier for patients like Ron Webber, who received his first hip replacement last week.

''I was a plasterer for 50 years, up and down ladders and scaffolding all day long, which wore out my hips,'' he said.

''The first two days after surgery were agonising pain but I've met so many people who tell me they can garden or play golf or go swimming again, so the pain's worth it.''

At 63, Mr Webber is likely to require a revision of his replacement in the future, which is where the bone-graft technology would be used.

The research has been carried out by visiting medical officer to Fairfield, Dr Arash Nabavi.

''We've only recently started using the metal tantalum in the replacements and because it's porous the bone is actually able to grow into the metal and create a stronger bond resistant to coming loose like other replacements,'' he said.

''Currently, hip replacement revisions mean less and less of the patient's bone is retained and bigger prosthetics are used.

''This new method will preserve the patient's actual bone and remove the need for future surgery.''

Health Minister Reba Meagher said the innovation was particularly important for south-western Sydney's ageing population.

''It's great to see world-class clinicians locally driving science to ultimately keep older people independent for longer and ultimately with better quality of life,'' she said.

Fairfield Hospital general manager Anthony Schembri hoped the first human use would be at the hospital.

''We're waiting on ethics clearance to use this new design but it's great news for all hip-replacement patients.