One hundred and ninety six unselected patients who had 200 consecutive primary total hip replacements between January 1994 and May 1995 using the Elite Plus cemented femoral component (DePuy International Leeds UK) were enrolled in a prospective outcome study. 155 patients (159 hips) were followed up for a minimum of 4.5 years (mean 5.4, range 4.5 to 6.9).Twenty four patients (24 hips −12%) died and 15 patients (15 hips) were lost to follow up. Two hips had been revised prior to the 5 year follow up. The average age was 68.4 years (range 35 to 94) at the time of the index arthroplasty. The patients were evaluated clinically using the Harris Hip Score and also radiologically. A self administered Oxford Hip Questionnaire was also used. A Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed with revision as the end point.

The mean Harris Hip Score was raised from 39.3 pre-operatively to 89.6 at five years. The mean Oxford Hip Score was 23. There were no revisions for aseptic loosening.

Radiographic review at 5 years showed mean femoral subsidence was 1.4mms with an average of 0.28mms per year. The cumulative survivorship at 5 years was 98.7% and the mean annual rate of re-operation was 0.2%.

In the present series, the Elite Plus hip arthroplasty has produced clinical and radiological results which would justify its position as a modern progression of the Charnley with comparable results at five years.