Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty with a Minimally Invasive Anterior Approach

Abstract

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) through the anterior approach is a minimally invasive technique that allows component implantation without muscle detachment from bone. The anterior approach is advantageous because the hip is an anterior joint, closer to the skin anterior than posterior; the approach follows an internervous plane between the superior and inferior gluteal nerves laterally and the femoral nerve medially; and the approach involves no muscle detachment. The anterior approach described here provides good access to the acetabulum and femur through the same incision, preservation of the hip muscular attachments, improved control of acetabular cup position and leg lengths, and no hip dislocation precautions postoperatively.