Minimally Invasive Hip Surgery with Imageless Navigation

Abstract

The concepts of minimally invasive surgery and computer-assisted surgery have recently come to the forefront of total hip arthroplasty (THA). These techniques have been borrowed from other surgical disciplines and have been introduced to Orthopedics independently. Minimally invasive techniques and surgical navigation have both been used, to some degree, in THA for several years, but only recently have the techniques been merged. With the introduction of specialty instruments and imageless navigation the combined technique has matured to a point were we can demonstrate a measurable early postoperative benefit and hopefully a long term benefit as measured by clinical outcome. Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most successful surgical procedures performed today. The history of THA is littered with attempts to improve outcome that have, with time, shown disappointing results. Few, however, would disagree with the goals of creating less soft tissue damage at the time of the procedure and being able to more accurately and reproducibly position the components; it being understood that long term hip function and implant survivorship are not decreased.