[Radiologic results of the ARO multicenter study]

We present the radiological results of 2286 total hip replacements (THR) from the multicenter study. Concerning the acetabular component the analysis showed that socket migration and radiolucent lines were much more dependent on the specific design of the socket than on the primary diagnosis. A similar results was found for the femoral stems: rheumatoid arthritis did not cause a higher percentage of stem subsidence, radiolucent lines or bone remodeling. Within a mid-term follow-up period the reduced bone quality in rheumatoid arthritis is not associated to premature failure of a cemented or cementless prosthesis. THR failure seems to be more dependent on specific construction features of the individual socket and stem.