Operative and patient care techniques for posterior mini-incision total hip arthroplasty.

UNLABELLED: Technical and patient care improvements have occurred with the posterior mini-incision total hip arthroplasty. We hypothesized that these changes would provide better results for patients. The clinical and radiographic results of 100 total hip arthroplasties done with the posterior mini incision between January 2004 and October 2004 were compared with 100 mini-incision total hip arthroplasties done between December 2001 and September 2002. There were no differences in diagnosis, age, and body mass index of the patients in each group. Component positions were not compromised in either group. There were improvements in the 2004 group with decreased hospital stay, reduction of postoperative pain and opioid analgesic use, reduced use of assistive devices, and earlier muscle recovery. In the 2004 group there were no complications of infection, dislocation, or sciatic palsy. The posterior mini-incision operation has shown improved results with experience and changes in technique and patient care treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.