title: Minimally Invasive versus Classic Procedures in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial New two-incision minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: comparison with the one-incision method [Prospective and comparative study of minimally invasive posterior approach versus standard posterior approach in total hip replacement]. Estimates of quality and reliability with the physiotherapy evidence-based database scale to assess the methodology of randomized controlled trials of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. The impact of minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty on the standard procedure The Mini-incision Direct Lateral Approach in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty A minimal-incision technique in total hip arthroplasty does not improve early postoperative outcomes. A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. [Measurement of ground reaction forces after total hip arthroplasty using different surgical approaches]. Minimally invasive total hip replacement via the anterolateral approach in the supine position Which is more invasive—mini versus standard incisions in total hip arthroplasty? Blood Loss in the Minimally Invasive Posterior Approach to Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study Comparison of Scars from Total Hip Replacements Done with a Standard or a Mini-incision THE FRANK STINCHFIELD AWARD: Muscle Damage after Total Hip Arthroplasty Done with the Two-incision and Mini-posterior Techniques Minimally invasive compared with traditional transgluteal approach for total hip arthroplasty: a comparative gait analysis. Reliability of the PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials. Rapid Rehabilitation and Recovery with Minimally Invasive Total Hip Arthroplasty Comparison of immediate postoperative walking ability in patients receiving minimally invasive and standard-incision hip arthroplasty: a prospective blinded study. Prospective and comparative study of the anterolateral mini-invasive approach versus minimally invasive posterior approach for primary total hip replacement. Early results Mini-incision for total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, controlled investigation with 5-year follow-up evaluation. [Advantages of minimal invasive total hip replacement in the early phase of rehabilitation]. Comparison of early postoperative functional levels following total hip replacement using minimally invasive versus standard incisions. A prospective randomized blinded trial Minimally-invasive total hip arthroplasty will improve early postoperative outcomes: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial Comparison of primary total hip arthroplasties performed with a minimally invasive technique or a standard technique: a prospective and randomized study. Antero-lateral minimal invasive (ALMI) approach for total hip arthroplasty technique and early results Early pain relief and function after posterior minimally invasive and conventional total hip arthroplasty. A prospective, randomized, blinded study. Operative and Patient Care Techniques for Posterior Mini-incision Total Hip Arthroplasty
abstract: Background For total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) , minimally invasive surgery ( MIS ) uses a smaller incision and less muscle dissection than the classic approach ( CLASS ) , and may lead to faster rehabilitation . Questions / purpose sDoes minimally invasive hip arthroplasty result in superior clinical outcomes ? Patients and Methods In this double-blind r and omized controlled trial , 120 consecutive primary noncemented THAs in 120 patients were assigned to one of two groups ( MIS or CLASS ) . The r and omization sequence was stratified for two groups of surgeons , ie , those using a posterolateral approach ( PL-CLASS or PL-MIS ) and those using an anterolateral approach ( AL-CLASS or AL-MIS ) . Length of the incisions was 18 cm for the CLASS procedures . MIS incisions were extended at the skin level to 18 cm at the end of the procedure . The primary end point was the Harris hip score ( HHS ) at 6 weeks postoperatively . Patient-centered question naires were obtained preoperatively and after 6 weeks and 1 year . Results For the patients in the MIS group ( average 7.8 cm incision length ) , statistically significant increased mean HHSs were seen compared with the CLASS group at 6 weeks and 1 year . This difference was small and mainly caused by the favorable results of the PL-MIS . In the MIS group , surgical time was longer . A learning curve was observed based on operation time and complication rate . Although not statistically significant , the perioperative complication rate was rather high in the ( anterolateral ) MIS group . Conclusions The minimal invasive approach in THA did not show a clinical ly relevant superior outcome in the first postoperative year . Level of Evidence Level I , therapeutic study . See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence Background There has been increasing interest in performing total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) with minimally invasive surgery ( MIS ) . This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of MIS-THA using the new two-incision technique versus the one-incision technique . Methods A consecutive series of 113 patients who underwent MIS-THAs ( 63 one-incision cases , 50 two-incision cases ) were studied .  One-incision THA was performed with a posterolateral approach . For the two-incision , the first incision for cup insertion was made over the anterolateral side of the hip . Intermuscular dissection was performed between the gluteus medius and the tensor fascia lata . The second incision , for stem insertion , was made on the posterolateral side of the hip along the fiber of the gluteus maximus . Intermuscular dissection was made between the gluteus medius and the piriformis . Results Postoperative rehabilitation was significantly more rapid in the new two-incision group compared to the group with one incision . Postoperatively , the Harris Hip Score and the Western Ontario and the McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score were significantly different between the two groups , especially the functional sections . Conclusions The findings of this study show that our new two-incision MIS-THA is an excellent surgical modality that allows early rehabilitation PURPOSE OF THE STUDY There have been few prospect i ve studies comparing minimally invasive approaches for total hip replacement . We wanted to ascertain the contribution of the minimally invasive posterior approach in comparison with the st and ard posterolateral approach in terms of early outcome . MATERIAL S AND METHODS This was prospect i ve comparative consecutive series of patients . Patients with major architectural problems or undergoing revision arthroplasty were excluded . One hundred ten patients ( 116 hips ) were divided into two groups which were comparable for number of patients , gender , age , body mass index , indication for surgery , and preoperative function scores . The preoperative ASA score was lower in the minimally invasive group ( p=0.04 ) . The patients were in the lateral reclining position for the two approaches and classical instrumentation using the same implants ( stems and cemented or non-cemented cups ) were used . We noted operative time and blood loss ( using the Brecher method based on the hematocrit at day 1 and 5 and the number of blood transfusions ) , postoperative pain , and implant position . Functional outcome was assessed with the modified Harris score and the WOMAC index ( at 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months ) . Statview(R ) was used to search for statistical significance considering p<0.05 as significant . RESULTS Mean length of incision was 8.5 cm versus 15.1 cm . Mean blood loss was significantly less in the minimally invasive group ( p=0.027 ) as was the level of postoperative pain as confirmed by the lesser consumption of morphine analgesics ( p=0.006 ) . Other operative variables as well as implant position were comparable . There were no major complications in the minimally invasive group . In the st and ard group , there was one case of common peroneal nerve palsy , two dislocations , and two fractures related to falls after prosthesis implantation . The WOMAC index was better after the minimally invasive approach at six weeks and at three months ( p<0.05 ) . The modified Harris score was better only at six weeks . Functional outcome and pain became comparable thereafter . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The minimally invasive posterior approach does not require an orthopedic table nor specific instrumentation . A minute procedure is required with ligature of the posteromedial circumflex artery of the thigh to improve exposure and limit intraoperative bleeding . It enables satisfactory reproducible implant positioning . Conversion to an open posterolateral approach is possible if needed . The minimally invasive posterior approach enables a reduction in intraoperative bleeding and in postoperative pain while allowing earlier more rapid rehabilitation . Early clinical outcome is better but beyond six weeks , the functional results are comparable for the two approaches . The minimally invasive posterior approach is a reliable reproducible approach with a progressive learning curve BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Systematic review s and meta-analyses often include an evaluation of the method ological quality of the individual studies that have been included , and are usually conducted by at least 2 individuals . The objective of this study was to assess the method ological quality and reliability of a series of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions by use of the 10-item Physiotherapy Evidence -Based Data base ( PEDro ) Scale . METHODS Two abstract ors independently review ed 81 RCTs assessing a variety of interventions . The Cohen kappa statistic and the intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC ) were used to assess agreement between abstract ors . RESULTS The average total PEDro scores were 5.94 ( SD=1.43 ) for all studies combined , 6.88 ( SD=1.2 ) for pharmacological studies , and 5.29 ( SD=1.26 ) for nonpharmacological studies . The median score for pharmacological studies was significantly higher than that for nonpharmacological studies ( 7 versus 5 ) . Pair-wise kappa scores ranged from a low of .452 for concealed allocation among drug trials to perfect agreement ( 1.00 ) for r and omization and reporting of results from between-group comparisons . The ICCs associated with the cumulative PEDro score were .91 ( 95 % confidence interval [CI]=.83-.94 ) for all studies , .89 ( 95 % CI=.78-.95 ) for pharmacological studies , and .91 ( 95 % CI=.84-.952 ) for nonpharmacological studies . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The method ological quality for pharmacological interventions was significantly higher than that for nonpharmacological interventions . There was good agreement between raters at an individual item level and in total PEDro scores . A lack of reporting clarity , poor organization of the report , or the failure to include salient details contributed to less-than-perfect agreement between raters Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty  using a short skin incision is a subject of much debate in the literature . The present study estimates the possible minimal length of the exposure in an unselected patient cohort and compares the lateral mini-incision technique and traditional total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) .  One hundred and two patients were divided into three groups according to the type of surgery and length of incision : mini-incision ( less than 10  cm ) was performed in 38 patients ; midi-incision ( 10–14 cm ) in 43 ; and  st and ard-incision ( longer than 14 cm ) in 21 patients . No statistical difference was found with regard to intraoperative and total blood loss , the rate of complications , and postoperative recovery . Significantly decreased body mass index ( BMI ) , shorter operative time , and higher number of hips with malpositioning of the acetabular cup were found in the mini-incision group . These patients , however , experienced less pain in the early postoperative period and were highly satisfied with the cosmetic results . The length of incision was shortened and optimized ( less than 14 cm ) in 82 % of patients , and mini-incision was performed in 38 patients of this unselected cohort . Because of the underst and able dem and of the patients for less invasive intervention , the surgeon should use a smaller but not necessarily mini-incision with minimal soft tissue trauma that still allows him to perform the procedure well , without compromising the type of implants and the otherwise excellent long-term results . R and omized prospect i ve studies are needed to explore the real value of the minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty . RésuméLa chirurgie arthroplastie de la hanche par voie mini invasive est un sujet de débat et de controverse dans la littérature . Cette étude a pour but d’estimer la longueur minimale de la voie d’abord sur une suite de patients non sélectionnés et de comparer la technique de mini incision avec la technique d’incision traditionnelle antérolatérale .  Cent deux patients ont été divisés en trois groupes , en fonction du type de chirurgie et en fonction de la longueur d’incision . Premier groupe : mini incision moins de 10 cm chez 38 patients , deuxième groupe : incision moyenne 10 à 14 cm chez 43 patients et troisième groupe : incision st and ard , supérieure à 14 cm chez 21 patients . Aucune différence statistique n’a été trouvée pour la perte sanguine et sur le taux des complications post-opératoires . Dans le groupe des mini incisions peu de sujets avaient une surcharge pondérale , par contre , il existait un gr and nombre de hanches avec une mal position de la cupule . Ces patients ont cependant présenté moins de douleur dans la période post-opératoire et ont été très satisfaits du résultat cosmétique . La longueur de l’incision dans la chirurgie prothétique de la hanche peut être raccourcie et la longueur optimum peut être de moins de 14 cm chez 82 % des patients . Une mini incision a été réalisé dans cette série , chez 38 patients du fait de la dem and e des patients pour une chirurgie mini invasive , les chirurgiens ont utilisé une petite incision avec un minimum de traumatisme des tissus mous . Cette mini incision doit donc permettre au chirurgien de réaliser son intervention correctement sans compromission sur le type d ’ implants , ni sur la qualité des résultats à long terme . Il n’y a pas besoin pour cela nécessairement d’une mini incision néanmoins des études prospect ives r and omisées doivent être réalisées pour explorer le vrai résultat de la chirurgie arthroplastie par voie mini invasive Patients are inquiring about  mini-incision primary total hip arthroplasty  with increasing frequency . There are no published r and omized controlled trials to substantiate cl aims that the mini-incision direct lateral approach is better than a st and ard approach . The purpose of our study was to review our initial experience with the mini-incision technique through the direct lateral approach , with the intent of implementing a r and omized controlled trial if the approach could be shown as safe and effective . Of importance was determining if there is any difference in component positioning and if there is any difference in intraoperative or postoperative complications between the two groups . We retrospectively compared a consecutive series of 87 primary total hip arthroplasties . Thirty-four total hip arthroplasties were done using a mini-incision direct lateral approach . The mean abduction angle was 45 ° for both groups . The femoral stem alignment was within five degrees of neutral in 97 % of the mini group and 94 % of the st and ard group . There were no dislocations , infections , neurologic or wound complications . There were no differences in medical complications or blood transfusions . A significant decrease was found regarding body mass index , which reflects the bias in patient selection and lack of r and omization . We conclude that it is safe to continue further study with this approach because as there was no increase in complications or component malpositioning . Level of Evidence : Therapeutic study , Level III ( retrospective comparative study ) . See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence BACKGROUND Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty has stirred substantial controversy with regard to whether it provides superior outcomes compared with total hip arthroplasty performed through longer incisions . The orthopaedic literature is deficient in well- design ed scientific studies to support the clinical superiority of this approach . The objective of this study was to compare the results of a single mini-incision approach with those of a st and ard-incision total hip arthroplasty in the early postoperative period . METHODS Two hundred and nineteen patients ( 219 hips ) admitted for unilateral total hip arthroplasty between December 2003 and June 2004 were r and omized to undergo surgery through a short incision of < or=10 cm or a st and ard incision of 16 cm .  All patients were blinded to the size of the incision for the duration of the hospital stay . The anesthetic , analgesic , and postoperative physiotherapy protocol s were st and ardized , with the staff also blinded to the technique used . A single surgeon , who had performed more than 300 short-incision hip replacements prior to the start of this study and who performs an average of 415 primary total hip replacements a year , performed all procedures through a single-incision posterior approach using a cementless cup and cemented stem . RESULTS The two groups were matched for age , grade according to the system of the American Society of Anesthesiologists , and body mass index . No significant difference was detected with respect to postoperative hematocrit , blood transfusion requirements , pain scores , or analgesic use . We found no difference in early walking ability or length of hospital stay and no difference in component placement , cement-mantle quality , or functional outcome scores at six weeks . The patient variables significantly associated with a probability of early discharge independent of incision length were patient age and preoperative hemoglobin levels ( p < 0.05 ) . The surgical scars contracted significantly over six weeks ( p < 0.05 ) but by a similar proportion of 11 % to 12 % in both groups . CONCLUSIONS Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty performed through a single-incision posterior approach by a high-volume hip surgeon with extensive experience in less invasive approaches to the hip is safe and reproducible . However , it offers no significant benefit in the early postoperative period compared with a st and ard incision of 16 cm . As it is not known whether lower-volume and less-experienced surgeons can achieve similar results , the mini-incision technique merits further study before wide dissemination and implementation of this family of surgical approaches can be recommended AIM Benefits of less damage of soft tissues and muscles in minimally invasive hip replacement lead to expectations of better results in gait rehabilitation . The aim of the study is to evaluate post-operative walking ability in terms of different surgical approaches . METHOD 16 patients underwent a minimally invasive total hip replacement ( MIS group ) and 16 other patients got a THA using a transgluteal approach ( st and ard group ) . Differences in functional indices of ground reaction forces and symmetry indices were measured one day pre-operatively as well as 8 , 14 and 28 weeks post-operatively . The results were compared between the surgical approaches and to an age-matched healthy control group . RESULTS There are significantly reduced pain symptoms and a higher functional ability in both surgical groups 8 weeks post-operatively . There are no differences in gait parameters between the surgical groups after 28 weeks . Trends in gait velocity , temporal parameters and in functional indices of ground reaction forces show advantages for the minimally invasive group 8 and 14 weeks post-operatively . Patients do not reach the age-matched control group . CONCLUSION Obviously the immediate post-operative advantages of minimally invasive hip replacement provide better chances for gait rehabilitation compared to the transgluteal approach . Due to the complexity of the problem clinical and gait analysis studies should be linked more closely Total  hip arthroplasty  through minimally invasive procedures potentially reduces operative trauma , which is expected to result in improved recovery and rehabilitation . We presently perform  total hip arthroplasty  using minimally invasive techniques via an anterolateral modification of the Watson-Jones approach . This approach is performed in the supine position and requires sterile draping of both legs . It also involves a modified operative technique which preserves the pelvitrochanteric muscles and extends the release of the hip capsule . In order to employ a proven implant system ( BICON-PLUS ® threaded cup , SL-PLUS ® stem ) , it was necessary to modify the stem rasps and use manipulation rasps as trial stems . In this report , we compare 50 conventional total hip replacements with 50 procedures performed using the minimally invasive procedure  in terms of blood loss and the duration of the operation . The length of the skin incision varied between 7 and 12 cm with the minimally invasive technique , compared to 15 to 22 cm with the conventional procedure . Both groups were virtually identical with respect to average blood loss ( haemoglobin on 10th post-operative day : minimally invasive group , 108.0 g/L ; conventional group , 112.0 g/L ) and the duration of the procedure ( minimally invasive group , 60 minutes ; conventional group , 58 minutes ) . The position of the implanted components correlated with the pre-operative planning with regard to medial head offset , centre of rotation of the hip , and leg length , and was as satisfactory as that observed with the conventional procedure . The complication rate was low ( 2.9 % ) . Shaft fissures occurred in the first months of use of the minimally invasive procedure before adaptation of the shaft rasps . Dislocations were attributable to improper patient behaviour . Minimally invasive surgery via the anterolateral approach in the supine position was equivalent to the conventional procedure , had a low rate of complications , and did not adversely impact the technical success of the procedure In this study , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , and haemoglobin levels were evaluated to compare the degree of surgical invasion between mini and st and ard incisions in total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) . Sixty-two patients admitted for primary cementless THA were enrolled in this r and omised study . The patients were allocated to have surgery through either a mini incision of < 10 cm or a st and ard incision of 15 cm . In each group , inflammatory responses were evaluated by IL-6 , CRP , and haemoglobin levels before operation and one day after operation . Significant differences were not found in IL-6 , CRP , and haemoglobin levels between both groups . At six months after surgery , there were no significant differences in postoperative Harris hip scores or radiographic evaluations between both groups . In conclusion , a 5.0 cm difference in the skin incision to the hip joint seemed to have no influence on the degree of surgical invasion during THA.RésuméAfin de mesurer l ’ importance de l’agression chirurgicale tissulaire dans les prothèses totales de hanche , incision st and ard , versus mini-invasifs , les niveaux d’Interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) de protéine C-réactive ( CRP ) et d’hémoglobine doivent être appréciés . 62 patients devant bénéficier d’une prothèse totale de hanche primaire sans ciment ont été enrôlés dans cette étude r and omisée . Ces patients devaient bénéficier soit d’une mini-incision inférieure à 10 cm , soit d’une incision st and ard supérieure à 15 cm . Chaque groupe a été évalué avec ces différents facteurs biologiques avant l’intervention et un jour après intervention . Il n’a été trouvé aucune différence significative dans les deux groupes avec ces différents marqueurs Inteleukin , CRP et hémoglobine . Six mois après la chirurgie pas de différence significative non plus au niveau des scores de Harris ou au niveau de l’évaluation radiographique . En conclusion , la différence d’incision cutanée de 5 cm ne semble pas avoir d’influence sur l ’ importance des lésions des parties molles au cours d’une prothèse totale de hanche AIMS Our primary aim was to evaluate whether there is really less bleeding in patients for whom the minimally invasive posterior approach is used in comparison with the direct lateral approach for primary total hip arthroplasty . Our secondary aim was to evaluate the clinical functional results after six months as well as the postoperative radiographic result . METHODS In a comparative non-r and om prospect i ve study , 76 adult patients underwent elective total hip arthroplasty using one of two approaches . The minimally invasive posterior approach ( 34 cases ; mini-incision group ) was compared with the st and ard direct lateral approach ( 42 cases ; control group ) . RESULTS Lower total estimated bleeding ( means of 1083.5 ml versus 1682.3 ml ; p < 0.001 ) and lower intraoperative bleeding ( means of 745.6 ml versus 1282.8 ml ; p < 0.001 ) were found in the mini-incision group . There was , however , no difference in the volume of blood drained after the operation ( means of 340 ml and 399 ml ; p = 0.77 ) . There was also a difference between the two groups regarding the need for allogenic transfusion ( 8.8 % in the mini-incision group versus 28.6 % , p = 0.02 ) . We observed a better clinical result in the mini-incision group ( p = 0.002 ) despite the lack of difference between the two groups in relation to the radiographic result . DISCUSSION Our results draw attention to the possibility that other authors may have underestimated blood losses when using minimally invasive approaches . CONCLUSION The minimally invasive approach gave rise to a positive final impression with regard to lower blood loss Scar cosmesis is one of the proposed benefits of mini-incision total hip replacement as opposed to st and ard-incision procedures ; however , there has been no scientific proof of this clinical outcome . The cosmetic appearances of healed incisions of 34 primary total hip replacement procedures done by one surgeon using either a mini-incision ( 20 procedures ) or a st and ard-length incision ( 14 procedures ) were compared at an average of 2 years postoperatively . Each scar ’s appearance was grade d independently by two plastic surgeons using a st and ardized rating system . Patients answered a question naire regarding their subjective assessment of their scar . The blinded observers found that more mini-scars ( six of 20 ) were rated poor than st and ard scars ( one of 14 ) and that more st and ard-incision patients had scars that were rated good . More mini-incision patients ( two of 20 versus zero of 14 ) had wound-healing problems . All the patients thought that their hip scar was acceptable in appearance , but 30 of 31 patients rated the relief of pain and total hip replacement longevity as higher priorities than scar cosmesis . The cosmesis of mini-incision total hip replacement scars may be inferior to st and ard-incision scars because of skin and soft tissue damage produced by high retractor pressures needed for exposure using a limited skin incision . Level of Evidence : Therapeutic study , Level II-2 ( prospect i ve comparative study ) . See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence Some surgeons have suggested that a minimally invasive two-incision approach allows total hip arthroplasty to be done without cutting or damaging any muscle or tendon . To our knowledge that cl aim has not been supported by any published clinical or basic science data . Our purpose in doing this study was to quantify the extent and location of damage to the abductor and external rotator muscles and tendons after two-incision and mini-posterior total hip arthroplasty .  Ten cadavers ( 20 hips ) were studied . In each cadaver one hip r and omly was assigned to the two-incision group and the contralateral hip was assigned to the mini-posterior group . After inserting the total hip arthroplasty components the muscle damage was assessed using a technique described previously . Damage to the muscle of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus was substantially greater with the two-incision technique than with the mini-posterior technique . Every two-incision total hip replacement caused measurable damage to the abductors , the external rotators , or both . Every mini-posterior hip replacement caused the external rotators to detach during the exposure and had additional measurable damage to the abductor muscles and tendon . We do not support the contention that a two-incision total hip arthroplasty is done without cutting muscle or tendon . None of the two-incision hip replacements were done without cutting , reaming , or damaging the gluteus medius or gluteus minimus muscle or external rotators BACKGROUND Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty is purported to allow an improved and faster rehabilitation in the immediate postoperative period because of reduced soft-tissue damage compared with total hip arthroplasty performed with use of a st and ard approach . In the present study , a minimally invasive approach was compared with a traditional st and ard approach in terms of the effect on gait kinematics as demonstrated with gait analysis and electromyography . METHODS Twenty r and omized patients who underwent a primary total hip replacement with use of a minimally invasive modified Watson-Jones approach ( minimally invasive group ) were compared with a group of twenty patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty with use of a st and ard transgluteal Hardinge approach ( st and ard group ) . All patients received the same cementless implant , inserted with use of st and ard instruments , and all operations were performed by a single , experienced surgeon . The patients were evaluated with use of three-dimensional gait analysis and dynamic electromyograms at three time points : preoperatively , ten days postoperatively , and twelve weeks postoperatively . Temporospatial and joint-kinematic parameters were evaluated . RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to the temporospatial variables of velocity , cadence , step length , and stride length at any tested time point . With regard to the range of motion of the operatively treated hip , the minimally invasive group had a smaller decrease at the ten-day time point in comparison with the st and ard group . However , this finding was not significant . The reduction in the range of motion was mainly caused by reduced hip extension . A compensatory increase in the pelvic tilt was observed in both groups . One patient in the st and ard group showed a positive Trendelenburg gait ten days postoperatively ; it had disappeared completely at the twelve-week time point . CONCLUSIONS With regard to gait kinematics in the early postoperative period ( three months ) , the present study showed no significant benefit for patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty through a minimally invasive Watson-Jones approach in comparison with those who were managed with a st and ard transgluteal approach BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Assessment of the quality of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) is common practice in systematic review s. However , the reliability of data obtained with most quality assessment scales has not been established . This report describes 2 studies design ed to investigate the reliability of data obtained with the Physiotherapy Evidence Data base ( PEDro ) scale developed to rate the quality of RCTs evaluating physical therapist interventions . METHOD In the first study , 11 raters independently rated 25 RCTs r and omly selected from the PEDro data base . In the second study , 2 raters rated 120 RCTs r and omly selected from the PEDro data base , and disagreements were resolved by a third rater ; this generated a set of individual rater and consensus ratings . The process was repeated by independent raters to create a second set of individual and consensus ratings . Reliability of ratings of PEDro scale items was calculated using multirater kappas , and reliability of the total ( summed ) score was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICC [ 1,1 ] ) . RESULTS The kappa value for each of the 11 items ranged from.36 to.80 for individual assessors and from.50 to.79 for consensus ratings generated by groups of 2 or 3 raters . The ICC for the total score was.56 ( 95 % confidence interval=.47-.65 ) for ratings by individuals , and the ICC for consensus ratings was.68 ( 95 % confidence interval=.57-.76 ) . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The reliability of ratings of PEDro scale items varied from " fair " to " substantial , " and the reliability of the total PEDro score was " fair " to " good . To assess the potential recovery rate of a  minimally invasive total hip replacement technique  with minimal soft tissue disruption , an accelerated rehabilitation protocol was implemented with weightbearing as tolerated on the day of surgery . One hundred consecutive patients were enrolled in this prospect i ve study . Ninety-seven patients ( 97 % ) met all the inpatient physical therapy goals required for discharge to home on the day of surgery ; 100 % of patients achieved these goals within 23 hours of surgery .  Outpatient therapy  was initiated in 9 % of patients immediately , 62 % of patients by 1 week , and all patients by 2 weeks . The mean time to discontinued use of crutches , discontinued use of narcotic pain medications , and resumed driving was 6 days postoperatively . The mean time to return to work was 8 days , discontinued use of any assistive device was 9 days , and resumption of all activities of daily living was 10 days . The mean time to walk ½ mile was 16 days . Furthermore , there were no readmissions , no dislocations , and no reoperations . Therefore , a rapid rehabilitation protocol is safe and fulfills the potential benefits of a rapid recovery with minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty Minimally  invasive hip arthroplasty  is thought to result in less soft tissue damage , earlier ambulation , and improved rehabilitation . This prospect i ve blinded cohort study objective ly analyzed early functional walking ability by stride analysis 2 days postoperatively . Ninety-five patients were analyzed , 43 of who received the minimal incision and 52 the traditional incision .  Patients , physiotherapists , and assessors were blinded to the incision used . Velocity , cadence , stride length , operated and nonoperated limb step-length , and the ratio of step length of the operated to nonoperated limbs were recorded . No significant differences in any of these variables were shown between the minimal-incision and traditional-incision groups . This study demonstrates no functional benefits of the minimally invasive incision over the st and ard one in terms of early walking ability The interest in minimally invasive approaches for total hip replacement ( THR ) has not waned in any way . We carried out a prospect i ve and comparative study in order to analyse the interest of the anterolateral minimal invasive ( ALMI ) approach in comparison with a minimally invasive posterior ( MIP ) approach .  A group of 35 primary THRs with a large head using the ALMI approach was compared with a group of 43 THR performed through a MIP approach .  The groups were not significantly different with respect to age , sex , bony mass index , ASA score , Charnley class , diagnoses and preoperative Womac index and PMA score . The preoperative Harris Hip Score was significantly lower in the ALMI group . The duration of surgical procedure was longer and the calculated blood loss more substantial in the ALMI group . The perioperative complications were significantly more frequent in this group , with four greater trochanter fractures , three false routes , one calcar fracture , and two metal back bascules versus one femoral fracture in MIP group . Other postoperative data ( implant positioning , morphine consumption , length of hospital stay , type of discharge ) are comparable , such as the early functional results . No other complication has been noted during the first 6 months . The ALMI approach uses the intermuscular interval between the tensor fascia lata and the gluteus medius . It leaves intact the abductor muscles , the posterior capsule and the short external rotators . The early clinical results are excellent , despite the initial complications related to the initial learning curve for this approach and the use of a large head . The stability and the absence of muscular damage should permit acceleration of the postoperative rehabilitation in parallel with less perioperative complications after the initial learning curve . RésuméNous rapportons une étude prospect i ve et comparative de l’abord antéro-latéral mini invasif de la hanche ( AMLI ) pour 35 arthroplasties totales primaires avec tête de gr and diamètre avec l’abord mini invasif postérieur ( MIP ) pour 43 arthroplasties . Les deux groupes n’étaient pas différents selon l’âge , le sexe , l’indice de masse osseuse , le score ASA , la classe de Charnley , le diagnostic , l’index WOMAC et le score de Merle d’Aubigné et Postel . Le score de Harris était plus faible dans le groupe AMLI . La durée opératoire et la perte sanguine calculée étaient plus importantes dans le groupe AMLI . Dans ce même groupe les complications per-opératoires étaient plus fréquentes , avec quatre fractures du gr and trochanter , trois fausses routes , une fracture du calcar , et deux bascules du composant acétabulaire alors qu’il n’y avait qu’une fracture fémorale dans le groupe MIP . Les autres données post-opératoires étaient identiques notamment le résultat fonctionnel précoce . Il n’y avait pas d’autre complication pendant les 6 premiers mois . L’abord antéro-latéral utilise l’intervalle entre le tenseur et le gluteus medius laissant intact les abducteurs , la capsule postérieure et les pelvi-trochantériens . Les résultats cliniques précoces étaient excellents en dépit des complications initiales liées à la courbe d’apprentissage et l’utilisation d’une tête de gr and diamètre . La stabilité et l’absence de dommage musculaire permettaient une récupération post-opératoire plus précoce A group of 42 primary total hip arthroplasties performed through an abridged surgical incision ( group 1 ) was prospect ively compared to a cohort of 42 primary total hip arthroplasties performed through a st and ard surgical incision ( group 2 ) . The length of the incision was 8.8 + /- 1.5 cm for group 1 and 23.0 + /- 2.1 cm for group 2 . The groups were not significantly different with respect to age , height , preoperative Harris Hip scores ( HHS ) , estimated blood loss , or length of hospital stay ( P>.05 ) . Group 1 patients had a lower body mass index than group 2 patients ( P<.01 ) . Length of surgery was slightly less for group I ( P = .02 ) . A 0 % incidence was found of infection , nerve palsy , component malposition , and aseptic loosening in both groups . No dislocations occurred in group 1 , and one dislocation occurred in group 2 . Patients in group 1 have expressed considerable enthusiasm regarding the cosmetic appearance of the surgical incisions , and their postoperative HHS are slightly higher than those of group 2 ( P = .042 ) . Total hip arthroplasty can be performed safely and effectively through an abridged surgical incision , but this investigation confirms no dramatic clinical benefit other than cosmetic appeal UNLABELLED In arthroplasty the term " minimal invasive " not only refers to the length of the skin incision but more so to its soft tissue and thereby muscle-protecting features . STUDY AIM The aim of this study is to compare the early postoperative mobilisation and rehabilitation of the different surgical approaches in cementless total hip arthroplasty . METHODS 27 patients underwent a total hip replacement ( Trilogy cup , MAYO stem ) via a ventral minimal invasive approach ( one incision technique ) ( MIS group ) . 23 patients underwent a total hip replacement with the same implant via a anterolateral transgluteal approach ( st and ard group ) . We evaluated the Harris Hip Score ( HHS ) , the visual analogue scale ( VAS ) for pain and patient satisfaction preoperatively as well as 3 days , 10 days , 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively . RESULTS After 3 and 10 days the MIS group showed better scores for pain , gait and mobilisation as well as for the overall HHS compared to the st and ard group . These differences could not be shown 6 weeks postoperatively . The MIS group had a significantly higher rate of complications with 22 % transient impairment of the lateral cutaneous nerve . CONCLUSION The patients of the MIS group showed a better mobilisation and rehabilitation during the early postoperative period . This can be attributed to the lessened intraoperative damage of to soft tissue and especially muscle damage . Due to the increased rate of nerve irritations , we modified our surgical approach . The minimal invasive approach to modern hip joint arthroplasty remains a non-st and ard technique . Compared to the st and ard approach it carries additional risks ( like nerve damage and malpositioning of the implants and thus should remain in the h and s of the experienced orthopaedic surgeon in specialised orthopaedic centres Objective : To compare the results of single-incision minimally invasive total hip replacement ( ≤ 10 cm ) to st and ard-incision ( 16 cm ) total hip replacement in the early postoperative period with respect to functional and mobilizing ability ( transfers , mobilizing , walking and stair assessment ) . Setting : Orthopaedic wards of a regional orthopaedic centre . Subjects : Two hundred and nineteen total hip replacement patients were tested between December 2003 and June 2004 . Interventions : Patients were r and omized to either total hip replacement through a minimally invasive ( ≤ 10 cm ) or st and ard incision ( 16 cm ) . A single surgeon performed all procedures using the same type of component fixation . Postoperative physiotherapy assessment and treatment was st and ardized . Analgesia was also st and ardized . All patients , physiotherapy staff and assessors were blinded to the incision used . Main outcome measures : Patients were tested two days post operatively and were assessed for the following activities : transfer from supine to sit , transfer from sitting to st and ing , mobilizing , ascending and descending stairs and weight-bearing . Results : The shorter incision offered no significant improvement in patient ability in relation to transfer from lying to sitting , transfer from sitting to st and ing , mobilizing or weight-bearing . Ascending/descending stairs gave a total time for the minimal incision of 38.7 s against 40.8 s for a st and ard incision . There was no difference in walking velocity between the st and ard incision and minimal incision groups two days post operatively ( minimal incision = 0.26 m/s versus st and ard incision = 0.26 m/s ) or six weeks post operatively ( minimal incision = 0.90 m/s versus st and ard incision = 0.93 m/s ) . There was no difference between groups with respect to walking aids at six-week review . The mean length of stay for the minimally invasive approach was 3.65 days ( SD 2.04 ) against 3.68 days ( SD 2.45 ) for the st and ard approach . This was not significantly different . Conclusion : Total hip replacement performed through a minimally invasive incision of ≤ 10 cm compared with a st and ard incision of 16 cm offers no significant benefit in terms of the rate or ability of patients to mobilize and perform functional tasks necessary for safe discharge Background The rehabilitation of patients for total hip arthroplasty is unsatisfactory , especially the prolonged rehabilitation . Aims To explore indications and key points of anterolateral minimally-invasive total hip arthroplasty . Methods 110 patients admitted for unilateral total hip arthroplasty were r and omly selected for surgery with either anterolateral minimally-invasive incision or st and ard posterolateral incision .  Demographic data , perioperative index and postoperative function index were recorded and statistically analyzed . Results No significant difference was detected in operation time , abduction angle , anteversion angle , stem alignment and stem fixation . The incision length , blood loss , perioperative transfusion and 100-mm VAS score at the first 24 h in minimally-invasive group were significantly lower . The Harris hip score and Barthel index were significantly higher in minimally-invasive group at 3 months ’ follow-up , but not significantly different 3 years after operation . Conclusions There are fewer traumas , fewer blood losses and more rapid recovery in this approach The purpose of this prospect i ve r and omized study was to compare the early results of primary total hip arthroplasties performed with a minimally invasive technique or a st and ard technique . A consecutive series of 70 patients who underwent primary bilateral simultaneous total hip arthroplasties was studied . All procedures were performed through a posterolateral approach . Operative times and duration of hemovac drains were significantly shorter in the group with a minimally invasive technique ( P < .05 ) . However , there was a risk of infection when using this technique . There were no any late transfusions in any of our patients postdischarge . This minimally invasive technique did not offer any advantages because the results were not different , and in our h and s , it increased our infection rate Introduction : Minimally invasive surgery represents one of the most recent techniques to have emerged within THA . In conventional THA , the incision typically measures 15–20 cm . Minimal invasive approach defined as less invasive to the skin , muscles , or bone may reduce complications and improve recovery time . A number of different approaches and methods have been described in literature . Purpose : This is a prospect i ve study describing the technique and early results of the modified antero-lateral minimal invasive ( ALMI ) approach and comparing our results to the results of other investigators interested in minimal invasive THA . Material s and methods : Seventy-five consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties ( cemented and cementless ) were done through a modified ALMI approach ( 6–8 cm ) , in which we kept the hip abductors intact . Neither special instruments nor specially design ed prostheses were needed . Minimum follow-up was 12 months . Results : The mean Harris hip score for patients after 12-month follow-up was 90 while the mean Merle d’Abugine mean score was 16.5 . Both scores reached almost the maximum values within 3 months after surgery . The cup abduction angle for 70 % patients was between 35 ° and 45 ° . No femoral stem mal-alignment was recorded . The mean operative time of cemented prosthesis was 65 min while that of the cementless prosthesis was 55 min . No wound complications or dislocations were recorded . All the patients were allowed to weight bear in the second post-operative day and involved in an early rehabilitation program . Conclusion : ALMI hip approach with sparing of hip abductors is safe and gives excellent orientation for positioning of prosthesis components . It also allows early and smooth post-operative rehabilitation with fast recovery of the patient in terms of weight bearing BACKGROUND Few prospect i ve r and omized studies have demonstrated benefits of minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty when compared with conventional total hip arthroplasty . We hypothesized that patients treated with a posterior mini-incision would have better results than those treated with a posterior long incision with regard to the achievement of established goals for pain relief and functional recovery permitting hospital discharge by the second postoperative day . METHODS Sixty of 231 eligible patients were r and omized ( with thirty in each group ) to have a total hip arthroplasty performed through either a posterior mini-incision ( 10 + /- 2 cm ) or a traditional long incision ( 20 + /- 2 cm ) . After completion of the total hip arthroplasty , the mini-incision group underwent extension of the skin incision to 20 cm . Patients were evaluated on the basis of self-determined pain scores , requirements for pain medicine , need for assistive gait devices , and time until discharge . Gait analysis provided objective functional assessment . RESULTS The average hospital stay was 63.2 + /- 13.3 hours in the mini-incision group and 73.6 + /- 23.5 hours in the long-incision group ( p = 0.04 ) . More patients with a mini-incision were discharged by the second postoperative day ( p = 0.003 ) and more were using just a single assistive device at the time of discharge ( p = 0.005 ) . As scored on a verbal analog scale of 0 to 10 points , patients with a mini-incision had less pain on each postoperative day and the pain score remained significantly lower at the time of discharge ( mean , 2.2 + /- 1.0 points compared with 3.1 + /- 0.9 points in the long-incision group ; p = 0.002 ) . After hospital discharge , there were no clinical differences in pain or function between the two groups of patients . CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional total hip arthroplasty performed through a posterior incision , posterior minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty result ed in better early pain control , earlier discharge to home , and less use of assistive devices . Subsequent evaluations at six weeks and three months showed equivalency between the clinical results in the two groups . LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level 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
target: The meta- analysis of the current evidence base showed that minimally invasive THA is associated with a significantly increased risk of transient lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsy ( p = 0.006 ) with no significantly better outcome
background: Over the past decade , minimally invasive surgery has gained popularity as a means of optimising early postoperative rehabilitation and increasing patient satisfaction and cosmesis following  total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) .
  However , this surgical exposure has also been associated with increased risk of iatrogenic nerve injury and implant mal-positioning due to limited visibility compared to conventionally larger surgical incisions .
  The purpose of this meta- analysis was to compare the outcomes of these two surgical exposures .