OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect of direct anterior approach (DAA), direct lateral approach (DLA) and posterolateral approach (PLA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and its effect on joint stability. METHODS: 147 patients who underwent THA for the first time in orthopaedic department of our hospital from April 2014 to April 2018 were selected as research objects. According to the different minimally invasive approaches, they were divided into DAA group, DLA group and PLA group, 49 cases in each group. DAA group used DAA approach for total hip arthroplasty, DLA group used DLA approach for total hip arthroplasty, PLA group used PLA approach for total hip arthroplasty. The clinical data was compared among 3 groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in Harris score between the three groups(P>0.05). The abduction angle of acetabular prosthesis in DAA group was larger than that in DLA group and PLA group(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in anteversion angle, length of lower limbs and femoral eccentricity among the three groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with DLA approach and PLA approach, DAA approach has higher abduction angle of acetabular prosthesis in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, which is worthy of clinical promotion.