Preoperative planning for primary total hip arthroplasty

Preoperative planning is of paramount importance in obtaining reproducible results in modern hip arthroplasty. Planning helps the surgeon visualize the operation after careful review of the clinical and radiographic findings. A standardized radiograph with a known magnification should be used for templating. The cup template should be placed relative to the ilioischial line, the teardrop, and the superolateral acetabular margin, so that the removal of the supportive subchondral bone is minimal and the center of rotation of the hip is restored. When acetabular abnormalities are encountered, additional measures are necessary to optimize cup coverage and minimize the risk of malposition. Templating the femoral side for cemented and cementless implants should aim to optimize limb length and femoral offset, thereby improving the biomechanics of the hip joint. Meticulous preoperative planning allows the surgeon to perform the procedure expediently and precisely, anticipate potential intraoperative complications, and achieve reproducible results.