STEM LOOSENING MORE COMMON WITH ITH THAN LUBINUS PROSTHESIS - A 5-YEAR CLINICAL AND RADIOGRAPHIC FOLLOW-UP OF 142 PATIENTS

Out of a consecutive series of 169 cemented total hip arthroplasties, 77 Lubinus SP 2 and 65 ITH prostheses, were followed-up after 5 years with clinical and radiographic assessments. Radiolucencies were common er around the ITH titanium stem than around the Lubinus cobalt-chrome stem. 6 of the ITH stems were considered as definitely loose, as compa red to none of the Lubinus stems. Hitherto, 5 patients in the ITH grou p have had revisions and 2 need revision because of loosening. The poo rer performance of the cemented ITH stem may be due to an unfavorable combination of design and material properties.