In the present study we describe the clinical results of the Scientific Hip Prosthesis® (SHP). With the goal of smoothening cement-bone interface stress peaks, the SHP was developed using shape optimization algorithms together with finite element modelling techniques. The resulting shape and cement stresses are seen in Figure 1. The introduction of the SHP prosthesis was performed in a stepwise fashion including a RSA study performed by Nivbrant et al¹. RSA studies for prosthetic types that are in long-term use are of great value in predicting the survivorship related to the migration rate and pattern for that specific type of prosthesis. If a stem in a patient shows a much higher migration rate than the typical one, the stem may be identified as at high-risk for early loosening. The study of Nivbrant et al¹ revealed unexpectedly high migration values and it was stated that the SHP stem was not the preferred stem to use despite the good Harris Hip Score and Pain score at two years follow-up.

In the present study the clinical results of a single surgeon study consisting of 171 hips with a follow-up of 5–12 years were evaluated. The mean follow-up was 8.2 years (5.0–12.0). The survival rate was 98.8% at ten years follow-up for aseptic loosening of the stem. The mean Harris Hip Score at 10 year follow-up was 89.2 ± 7.5. This study therefore indicates that a new prosthetic design may function clinically rather well, despite the relatively high migration rates which have been reported.

In case of a RSA study with a new prosthesis it may not be so evident what the expected “typical” migration rate or pattern is. So in order to predict early loosening the typical migration rate has to be known. Perhaps typical migration rates can be established using standardized cadaver migration experiments or computer simulation models techniques. Since these standardized tools are currently not available, the prediction of clinical survival of new prosthetic components remains a challenging task and the interpretation of migration rates with new designs should be considered with much caution.