A randomized controlled trial comparing the Thompson hemiarthroplasty with the Exeter polished tapered stem and Unitrax modular head in the treatment of displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

964 patients with an intracapsular fracture of the hip were randomized to either modular hemiarthroplasty with a cemented Exeter stem and Unitrax femoral head or monoblock hemiarthroplasty iwth a cemented Thompson implant. Patients were assessed at 4 months postoperative for the primary outcome of health-related quality of life on the EQ-5D questionnaire. Results demonstrated no significant difference between groups. Secondary outcomes of mortality, complication rate, and rate of severe walking difficulty also did not significantly differ between groups. The only significant difference observed was a 0.67-day shorter stay in the Exeter/Unitrax group compared to the Thompson group.