Predictive accuracy of RSA migration thresholds for cemented total hip arthroplasty stem designs

Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) migration thresholds for cemented total hip stems have been established beyond which an unacceptably high risk of revision is likely to occur. These thresholds are subsidence >0.23 mm or >1.2 mm after 2 years. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine after long-term follow-up the predictive accuracy of the two thresholds.

Data from two previous prospective RSA trials with 2 year follow-up for which minimum 10 year survivorship data was available were used. Thirty-six patients received a Spectron stem, 17 patients received an Exeter stem, and 17 patients received a CPCS stem. Subsidence after 2 years was compared to the migration thresholds, and long-term survivorship and clinical outcome scores were obtained.

At 2 years, the Spectron stem subsided 0.046 ± 0.160 mm, the Exeter stem subsided 1.218 ± 0.320 mm, and the CPCS stem subsided 0.681 ± 0.246 mm ( p < 0.0001). The Spectron stem passed both thresholds, the Exeter stem failed both thresholds, and the CPCS stem passed 1 and failed 1 threshold. At 10 years, survivorship exceeded 90% for all stems.

All stems demonstrated strong 10 year survivorship and equivalent clinical outcome scores, but this success would not have been equally predicted across RSA migration thresholds. Although RSA is a useful predictive tool, care should be taken in applying migration thresholds only to those stem designs they are indicated for, with the threshold of 1.2 mm of subsidence at 2 years being most broadly applicable.