Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: the Hospital for Special Surgery experience

A mini-incision total hip arthroplasty was developed in an effort to shorten recovery times and in part to address patient concerns regarding the cosmetic appearance of their incisions, all without a detrimental effect on outcome. Patient selection is important and not all patients are candidates for the technique, which is based on the posterior approach to the hip. In more than 1000 cases, the authors have not noticed an increase in complications, and results are comparable to other contemporary approaches and techniques. Further follow-up is required to determine the long-term outcome, however, in the short term, patients have less blood loss, shorter operative times, and a reduced incidence of limp and cane use at 6 weeks.