Mechanical loosening of the femoral component in total hip replacement, Brunswik design.

One hundred and sixty-one non-infected primary total hip replacements, Brunswik design, were examined clinically and radiographically. Mechanical loosening defined as a radiolucent zone developing at the proximal, lateral part of the stem occurred in almost 40 per cent during the first few years after the operation whereafter a steady state was reached. Loosening of the stem was more common in men and in patients with a previous femoral neck fracture and significantly related to improper cementing.