Abstract
1. Sixty-nine patients with degenerative disease of the hip joint were treated by intra-articular arthrodesis using secure internal fixation. External fixation with plaster was not used and the patients were mobilised on crutches after a mean interval of 3·2 weeks. Radiologically evident bony union occurred in 87 per cent of cases. Among the nine patients (13 per cent) who failed to show union only three complained of persistence of severe symptoms.
2. The only significant complication was fracture of the upper femoral shaft in three cases (4·3 per cent). However, this has not occurred since a small plate was used in addition to the nail.
3. The disadvantages of the routine use of plaster fixation are discussed and are contrasted with the advantages of early mobilisation without plaster.
4. Whereas this series does not show a rate of fusion as good as that in the best reported series, it supports the view that arthrodesis of the hip offers the most certain, reliable and efficient means of treatment for severe unilateral degenerative disease of that joint.
