Total hip replacements, which is one of the most commonly performed surgery in the world, face several serious problems during its lifetime, such as lubrication degradation and/or impingement. Left untreated, these problems may lead to chronic pain, necrosis, and ultimately the failure of the prosthetic. Therefore, to help protect the patient against such negative outcomes, a detection system will be developed for the quick diagnosis of current structural health of the hip replacement. The detection system uses strategically placed multi-nano layer piezoceramic sensors for passive and active sensing of the prosthetic. The multi-nano layer piezoelectric sensors, made of sealed Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) or lead free ferroelectric Barium Zirconate Titanate (BZT), will be fabricated using a recently developed high quality thin film deposition technique. Compared to ordinary piezoelectric patches, the sensor with multiple nano layers will be more energy efficient with greatly improved sensitivity. These sensors will be design to detect the characteristic vibration and sound signatures from each of the previously mentioned hip replacement problems. The detected vibrational and sound signals will be used to analyze the structural health of the prosthetic. Conditions, such as abnormal articulation or dislocation, will be also monitored by active sensing of the interface between the artificial ball and socket. The detection system will be evaluated by subjecting five hip replacements a series of cyclic loading that simulates lubrication degradation and impingement. Successful completion of this research will enable the investigation of a fully implantable version of this instrumented prosthesis using wireless transduction of signals. The end product is expected to improve the life of many patients, especially young veterans, who’s high level of activity require more intensive monitoring of the prosthesis.