Minimally invasive or limited incision hip replacement: clarification and classification.

The goal of total hip replacement is to provide a pain-free, well-fixed, stable, long-lasting arthoplasty. Length of hospital stay, recovery time, and incision length are important factors related to the success of the procedure. As the procedure has evolved, the use of limited incision surgery has grown. A uniform classification system for less invasive approaches to total hip replacement will allow similar approaches to be grouped together and help surgeons to select the best approach.