The MS-30 (Morscher-Spotorno) cemented femoral stem is a straight, three-dimensionally tapered, collarless implant for cemented fixation in total hip replacement, manufactured from a FeCrNiMnMoNb-alloy. This paper documents the review of 4 original follow-ups performed at four orthopaedic hospitals: three at the author's institution (Basel/Switzerland 2, Pietra Ligure/Italy 1), and one at the University Orthopaedic Hospital of Heidelberg/ Germany. A total of 911 hips in 867 patients have been provided with the MS-30 stem. All stems were fixed with Palacos bone cement, the great majority with antibiotic (Gentamicine) loaded cement. The mean observation time was 10.2, 5.6, 10.2 and 6.5 years. One hundred and sixty-four hips were lost due to patients death, 121 patients were unable to come to the follow-up check. Ten patients only were lost to follow-up. The total number of hips with a clinical radiological follow-up was 597. The clinical and radiological assessment was in accordance with the International Documentation and Evaluation System (IDES) forms from the Institute of Documentation of the M.E. Müller Foundation in Berne/Switzerland. RESULTS The overall survivorship in the four follow-ups were 100% after 10 years, 98.4% and 99.2% after 5.5.years, 98.5% after 10 years and finally 96.1% after 6.5 years. The respective percentages of survival for aseptic loosening were 100%, 99.2%, 100%, 98.5% and 98.8%. CONCLUSION According to the NIH (National Institute of Health, United Kingdom) a survival rate of 95% regarding aseptic loosening justifies or even recommends further clinical use of the respective endoprosthesis system.

Laboratory for Orthopaedic Biomechanics Felix Platter Spital University of Basel Burgfelderstrasse 101 CH 4012 Basel Switzerland