Current Status of Minimally Invasive Total Hip Arthroplasty: Results To Date

Small-incision total hip arthroplasty has been shown to be safe and achieves the goals of early postoperative improvement in pain and function. However, controversy remains as to its benefits. The comparative published reports of the two-incision, anterior, and mini-posterior techniques have defined indications for small-incision total hip arthroplasty and the role for different surgical approaches. Small-incision surgery requires a learning curve and specialized instruments. Correct component positioning has been achieved consistently with these procedures, and short-term results of small-incision surgery are the same as long incisions. The mini-posterior approach is the easiest to learn and to teach compared with the two-incision technique or the anterior intermuscular techniques. The mini-posterior approach appears to be better than the traditional posterior total hip arthroplasty for early patient function and acceptance.