Objective To explore the application of Orem self-care mode on hip function recovery of elderly patients with artificial hip replacement . Methods Fifty elderly patients with hip arthroplasty from 2014 January to December were set as control group and received routine nursing methods from 2015 January to December 50 elderly patients with hip arthroplasty , were set as observation group and received Orem self-care mode . The hip function of the two groups was evaluated by Harris scale. Result The hip joint function of observation group was higher than that of control group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Orem self-care mode applied in nursing of elderly patients with hip arthroplasty can improve the recovery of elderly patients with hip function.