A long term follow-up for a randomised trial of total hip arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty for displaced intracapsular fractures.

104 patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture were randomised to surgical treatment with either a cemented hemiarthroplasty or a cemented total hip arthroplasty. All surviving patients were followed up for five years from injury by a blinded observer. No differences in outcome between groups was seen for the degree of residual pain or regain of function or independence. There was a tendency to more complications and re-operations for those treated with the total hip arthroplasty. We continue to recommend that caution should be exercised regarding the increased promotion of THR for intracapsular hip fractures until further studies with long term follow up are completed.