1. Central dislocation of the hip combined with ilio-femoral intramedullary nailing is a technically difficult operation, but one which, if well done, provides a high percentage of hip fusion without external fixation.

2. Fifteen hips have been operated upon. Twelve have fused; two cannot yet be assessed as the time since operation is too short; and one failed, presumably due to osteoporosis resulting from rheumatoid arthritis.