a method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty . an approximately 3 . 75 - 5 centimeter anterior incision is made in line with the femoral neck . the femoral neck is severed from the femoral shaft and removed through the anterior incision . the acetabulum is prepared for receiving an acetabular cup through the anterior incision and the acetabular cup is placed into the acetabulum through the anterior incision . a posterior incision of approximately 2 - 3 centimeters is generally aligned with the axis of the femoral shaft and provides access to the femoral shaft . preparation of the femoral shaft including the reaming and rasping thereof is performed through the posterior incision , and the femoral stem is inserted through the posterior incision for implantation in the femur . a variety of novel instruments including an osteotomy guide an awl for locating a posterior incision aligned with the axis of the femoral shaft , a tubular posterior retracter , a selectively lockable rasp handle with an engagement guide ; and a selectively lockabele provisional neck are utilized to perform the total hip arthroplasty of the current invention .