Primary total hip arthroplasty in the older patient: optimizing the results.

Preoperative planning is the first step in adult reconstructive surgery of the hip. When executed properly, it provides a template of the procedure for the whole surgical team. Thorough planning also helps the team anticipate intraoperative problems and avert complications. It reduces surgical trial and error, thus reducing operative time. Planning shortens the learning curve for a new implant system, improves technical skills for performing THA, and ultimately can improve the clinical results.