INTERPRETATION The guidelines have improved method ological reporting in RSA studies , but adherence to these guidelines is still relatively low .
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Guidelines for st and ardization of  radiostereometry ( RSA )  of implants were published in 2005 to facilitate comparison of outcomes between various research groups .
In this systematic review , we determined how well studies have adhered to these guidelines .
Randomized comparison between 3 surface treatments of a single anteverted stem design: 84 hips followed for 5 years.
Eighty patients ( 84 hips ) r and omly received an anteverted cobalt-chromium stem ( Lubinus SP2 ; Waldemar Link , Hamburg , Germany ) with matte , polymethyl methacrylate-coated , or polished surface ( uncollared ) . Radiostereometry  was used to study migration and wear ; and the bone mineral density was studied with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at 6 months , 1 year , 2 years , and 5 years . The polished stems had subsided 0.1 to 0.2 mm more at 6 months and 0.3 to 0.4 mm more at 5 years than the matte and precoated versions ( P < .0001 ) and subsided mainly inside the cement mantle . The rotations of the stem and the migration and wear of the cemented cup did not differ between the 3 groups . After 1 and 2 years , the polished stems had lost significantly less bone mineral in Gruen zones 1 , 2 , 6 , and 7 ( P = .004 to .03 ) ; but this difference had disappeared after 5 years . The period of improved bone remodeling around the polished version coincided with the early period of increased subsidence , suggesting that stem motions inside the mantle result ed in a favorable loading of the proximal femur . Our observations suggest that alternative shapes could be possible on future polished femoral stem design
INTERPRETATION The guidelines have improved method ological reporting in RSA studies , but adherence to these guidelines is still relatively low .
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Guidelines for st and ardization of  radiostereometry ( RSA )  of implants were published in 2005 to facilitate comparison of outcomes between various research groups .
In this systematic review , we determined how well studies have adhered to these guidelines .