There was no major difference in the rate of complications .
Conclusions Short-term recovery favors limited incision over st and ard incision THA .
Background The literature comparing  limited incision and st and ard incision THAs  is confusing regarding whether limited incision THA improves short-term recovery without compromising long-term durability and survival .
Further , previously published meta-analyses can not conclude that limited incision THA is better .
With new data , we seek to discover if the answers now exist .
Purpose We used meta- analysis to compare surgical and hospitalization data , clinical outcomes , and complication rates , and thus ( 1 ) confirm whether limited incision THA is at least comparable to st and ard incision THA ; and ( 2 ) determine whether limited incision THA is an improvement over st and ard incision THA .
Operative and Patient Care Techniques for Posterior Mini-incision Total Hip Arthroplasty
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
There was no major difference in the rate of complications .
Conclusions Short-term recovery favors limited incision over st and ard incision THA .
Background The literature comparing  limited incision and st and ard incision THAs  is confusing regarding whether limited incision THA improves short-term recovery without compromising long-term durability and survival .
Further , previously published meta-analyses can not conclude that limited incision THA is better .
With new data , we seek to discover if the answers now exist .
Purpose We used meta- analysis to compare surgical and hospitalization data , clinical outcomes , and complication rates , and thus ( 1 ) confirm whether limited incision THA is at least comparable to st and ard incision THA ; and ( 2 ) determine whether limited incision THA is an improvement over st and ard incision THA .