Minimally Invasive Total Hip Arthroplasty Using the Two-Incision Approach

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery has the potential for minimizing surgical trauma, pain and recovery. These minimally invasive techniques in total hip replacement include single-incision and two-incision techniques. This chapter describes a minimally invasive hip-replacement procedure performed with two incisions: one incision for acetabular preparation and placement, the other for the femoral preparation and placement. This new minimally invasive technique avoids transecting any muscle or tendon, thereby minimizing morbidity and recovery. Unique instruments have been developed to facilitate this technique. Fluoroscopy aids in many steps in this process to ensure the proper starting points for the incisions and accurate component position and alignment. Standard implants are used to maintain the present expectation for implant durability.