[Loosening of the acetabular implant after replacement of the hip-joint due to age-related loss of bone structure (author's transl)].

Radiographs of the pelvis of 17 patients who after replacement of the hip joint showed loosening of the acetabular component have been examined as to the degree of osteoporosis by the method of Singh et al. Comparing aseptic and infective loosening showed that in aseptic cases age-related loss of bone-substance was on average more pronounced than in loosening due to infection. Since we have stopped opening the cancellous space in patients with advanced osteoporosis but only fill anchorholes or ridges with cement, we have not seen any more aseptic loosening.