Patent ID: 7833229

Claim:
A method of providing a hip replacement in the acetabulum of a patient, comprising: making a main incision of a limited length, the limited length of the main incision being at least about 1 inch, the main incision positioned to provide access to the acetabulum, determining a position for an acetabular portal incision, said determined position selected to provide access to the acetabulum in cooperation with the main incision but without providing access to the acetabulum through the patient's femoral neck, making an acetabular portal incision at said determined position for said acetabular portal incision, said acetabular portal incision having a limited incision length, inserting a cannula through said acetabular portal incision and into communication with the acetabulum and said main incision for use in preparing the acetabulum for receipt of an acetabular implant, said cannula communicating between said acetabular portal incision and the acetabulum without passing through the patient's femoral neck, and using said cannula to prepare the acetabulum for receipt of an acetabular implant, whereby said using of said cannula to prepare the acetabulum for receipt of an acetabular implant includes inserting a shaft in said cannula.