Fracture of the femoral prosthesis in total hip replacement according to Charnley.

An analysis of 14 fractures of the stem of the early design of low friction arthroplasty showed a predominance of heavy, bilaterally operated males. The total incidence was 0.67 per cent. The fractures occurred between 14 months and 5 years postoperatively. Every fracture was preceded by radiological signs of loosening caused by varus positioning of the femoral head prosthesis and defective cement support medially at the femoral calcar.