Introduction and Aims: This is a prospective randomised trial comparing the ABG uncemented total hip replacement with the Charnley in 243 patients less than 65 years of age. A standardised protocol and anterolateral approach was used.

Method: The ABG I cup was used in combination with a polyethylene liner. All stems were templated and a 28mm cobalt chrome head was used. Early mobilisation with partial weightbearing for six weeks was allowed. In the Charnley group, Elite polyethylene cups were used in conjunction with 22mm monoblock stems. All hips were inserted with pressurised CMW cement. Patients were followed up annually. Standardised radiographs were taken at each visit and the Harris hip score and Merle d’Aubigné outcome measures recorded.

There were 222 hips available for follow-up, 96 ABG hips and 126 Charnley hips (17 died and 10 were lost to follow-up), with the mean age at surgery and mean length of follow-up comparable. Most hips were replaced due to osteoarthritis.

There was no significant difference in the mean Harris hip or Merle d’Aubigné scores at one year and at latest follow-up.

Results: Radiographic results demonstrated accelerated polyethylene wear in the ABG hips with mean polyethylene wear at seven years being 2.1mm compared with 0.9mm for Charnley hips. Wear associated lysis around the ABG cup was the major reason for failure, with a total of eight cups (8.3%) undergoing revision.

Conclusion: There was no evidence of subsidence of the stem or osteolysis around the stem despite the polyethylene wear. Conversely, in the Charnley group the stem was the major reason for failure with 12 stems (9.5%) being revised for aseptic loosening. The Kaplan Meier Survivorship at 10 years was 66.6% ± 19.1% for the ABG and ± 82% for the Charnley group. This was not significant.