Minimally invasive total hip replacement.

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) is a widely used procedure that alleviates pain and disability in people with hip disorders, such as osteoarthritis. Minimally invasive (MI) total hip replacement uses a smaller surgical incision than the conventional method. Possible advantages include less damage to tissue and muscle, smaller scars, less blood loss during surgery, less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays and convalescence. Well designed, long-term studies are needed to compare patient outcomes and costs of the different types of MI hip replacement procedures.