Objective To review the research on different surgical approaches and MRI evaluation of total hip arthroplasty (THA), to clarify the possible muscle damage caused by different approaches, and to help clinicians avoid intraoperative muscle damage and identify the causes of certain muscle-related complications after operation. MethodsThe research literature on different surgical approaches and MRI evaluation of THA at home and abroad was extensively reviewed to summarize the MRI performance of the posterior approach, modified direct lateral approach, direct anterior approach, and minimally invasive anterolateral approach (also called Orthopadische Chirurgie Munchen approach). Results The traditional posterior approach mainly damages the short external rotator muscle group and increases the incidence of postoperative dislocation; the piriformis-keeping posterior approach significantly improves the quality of the pyriformis tendon in the postoperative period, but it may lead to damage to the intrapelvic portion of the piriformis muscle. The modified direct lateral approach mainly damages the gluteus medius muscle, which increases the risk of postoperative claudication. The direct anterior approach mainly damages the vastus tensoris muscle and may result in damage to the short external rotator muscle group and the muscles around the incision. The minimally invasive anterolateral approach primarily damages the superior gluteal nerve, which subsequently leads to denervation of the broad fascial tensor fasciae latae, and this approach may also result in injury to the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles. The muscle damage status significantly affects prognosis, and the minimally invasive approach is more suitable for elderly patients. ConclusionMRI can clarify the different types of muscle damage caused by different surgical approaches. Minimally invasive approaches can reduce muscle damage and improve postoperative function compared with traditional approaches, and can benefit elderly patients more, but due to the small field, forcing to expand the surgical field will lead to unintended muscle damage and reduce postoperative function.