Objective To investigate the nursing for preventing deep venous thrombosis after mini-incision for total hip arthroplasty in old patients. Methods 53 old patients who accepted total mini-incision hip arthroplasty from July, 2005 to June, 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Results Affected limb swelling were found in 8 patients 2 d to 2 weeks after operation. They all were cured after anticoagulation treatment, no pulmonary embolism occurred.Conclusion Nursing intervention can prevent deep venous thrombosis after mini-incision for total hip arthroplasty.