Objectives: The aim of the research is to explore and define the existence of differences in the nursing care in an early post-operative phase with regard to the operative approach. Study design: Cross - sectional study Methods: 80 respondents took part in the research (40 in each group), who were hospitalized at the Orthopaedics and Trauma Department of General Hospital Varaždin, for the total hip endoprosthesis. The research was anonymous, carried out on an independent survey. Results: An equal number of men and women (40:40) took part in the survey and the majority were aged between 60 and 70, 51 of them. For eleven respondents it was their second hip replacement, and for 60 of them it was their first operation. 57 respondents had pains in the hip for less than five years, while 27 had pains for over five years. The pain intensity is the highest in the period immediately following the operation and on the first day in both groups. In patients with Watson - Jones approach, the intensity of pain in all the days of measuring was much higher. On a four - degree scale of medication dependence it is evident that in all the categories surveyed respondents with a minimally invasive approach have the best results, not only in the final result, but also in the time sequence. The same group has significantly better results in analgesic consumption and the number of hospitalization days. Conclusion: Respondents with a minimally invasive approach achieve significantly better results as regards their independence and the need for nursing care, as well as significantly lower analgesic consumption and a smaller number of hospitalization days.