Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: the posterior approach.

Minimally invasive total hip replacement is probably a misnomer and the procedure is better termed less invasive total hip replacement. The mini-posterior approach is a modification of a standard approach, with a smaller skin incision and less deep tissue dissection. The gluteus maximus tendon is not released and the quadratus femoris muscle is minimally violated. Blood loss has been documented to be less and early recovery is facilitated. Compared with the standard posterior approach, there have been fewer complications associated with the modified approach.