In view of the increasing incidence of stem-type femoral component loosening, a detailed retrospective radiographic zonal analysis of 389 total hip replacements indicated a 19.5% incidence (76 hips) of radiological evidences of mechanical looseness, i.e., fractured acrylic cement and/or a radiolucent gap at the stem-cement or cement-bone interfaces. Detailed serial radiographic examination demonstrated progressive loosening in 56 of the 76 hips and these were categorized into mechanical modes of failure. The 4 modes of failure characterizing stem-type component progressive loosening mechanisms consisted of stem pistoning within the acrylic (3.3%), cement-embedded stem pistoning with the femur (5.1%), medial midstem pivot (2.5%), calcar pivot (0.7%) and bending (fatigue) cantilever (3.3%).