Always associated with the presence of divergent radio-opaque lines, the pedestal sign is indicative of prosthetic loosening of the femoral stem in cementless total hip arthroplasty. The presence of radio-opaque lines within a radiolucent area, separated from the prosthetic tip by at least 2 mm, is defined as the "pedestal sign."
Reference
Jakim I, Barlin C, Sweet MB: Radiological signs of loosening of the femoral stem in cementless total hip arthroplasty S Afr J Surg 1989 Jul;27(3):78-83.