We conducted this study to observe the difference in muscle strength and walking speed between patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) in whom an anterolateral mini-incision technique was used and those in whom a conventional approach was used. Fifty-three patients who underwent a mini-incision THA were matched by diagnosis, sex, age, period elapsed since surgery (which ranged from 6 months to 4 years), weight, and height to 53 patients who underwent THA using the conventional anterolateral approach. During the first year after surgery, patients with the mini-incision THA had significantly better hip muscle strength, walking speed, and functional score (P < .05). At 1 year, the performance characteristics studied were statistically equivalent (P > .05). Although the mini-incision technique is more difficult than the conventional technique, its use by experienced surgeons can produce quicker short-term recovery.