Crossword Genius

Operation Phi (3,11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hip replacement

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'operation' is the definition.
(type of surgical operation)

'phi' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
an anagram of 'phi' is 'hip' which is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'replacement' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hip replacement that I've seen before include "Joint operation" , "Inserted joint" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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