Limited Approach Surface Replacement Total Hip Arthroplasty

With the advent of new metallurgical manufacturing techniques, metal-on-metal total hip resurfacing has gained popularity as a bone-preserving procedure for young and active patients. The use of minimally invasive techniques for total hip arthroplasty has generated much interest. The fundamental question is whether these techniques can lead to better outcomes when compared to standard approaches. This article focuses on a technique for a limited approach to total hip resurfacing using an anterolateral incision. The success of this technique is becoming evident by reduced intraoperative blood loss, reduced postoperative pain, fewer narcotic analgesics, faster rehabilitation, and better cosmesis. Despite these distinct advantages over standard approaches, minimally invasive approaches should be evolutionary, starting with large incisions and gradually using smaller incisions as surgeons become more comfortable with the technique of hip resurfacing and more proficient with the use of instrumentation. This limited approach to total hip resurfacing has made resurfacing arthroplasty more attractive to both surgeons and patients.