Methods and apparatus for orthopedic replacement of the hip through three incisions with a modular prosthetic system assembled in vivo while substantially preserving muscles and soft tissues around the hip joint resulting in reduced healing time and decreased risk of dislocation. A prosthetic femoral stem is inserted into the femur. A prosthetic femoral neck is inserted from a point along the side of the patient's body and into the side of the femur and through a lateral bore in the prosthetic femoral stem to join the prosthetic femoral head. The methods and apparatus include structures and techniques for fixing or enhancing interconnection of implant components, such as by increasing the interconnection in an interference fit with one or more tapers, threads, and/or cooling of components prior to assembly.
