The Exeter bipolar prosthesis in the active elderly patient: the results at 7 years

Seventy one Exeter bipolar hemiarthroplasties were reviewed after a mean follow up of 3.2 years (range 1–7 years). Patients with displaced subcapital fractures were selected for operation on the basis of good mobility before the fracture. The operation was well tolerated and the mortality at 1 month and 6 months was 3.7% and 6.5% respectively. Using a newly devised hip scoring system 89% had a good or excellent result and 94% had no or only occasional pain. There was no radiological evidence of acetabular erosion.