Introduction We report the results of cancellous femoral impaction grafting with cement in revision hip arthroplasty in all patients from the above centre, who had their surgery more than five years previously.

Methods Up to December 1994, 226 hips underwent femoral impaction grafting in 207 patients. No deaths were attributable to the revision surgery. Thirty-three patients with 35 functioning hips died with less than five years follow-up. Only one patient was lost to follow-up. All other patients have had clinical review by two of the authors (BH and HE) and a combined panel undertook radiological review.

Results Two hips (one percent) became infected at the time of their revision surgery. Twelve stems underwent a further surgical procedure for aseptic failure; 10 for treatment of fracture and two for mechanical loosening in the absence of fracture. Survivorship with any femoral re-operation for any cause as the end point was 90.5% (confidence interval 82 to 98% (Peto equation)) at 10 to 11 years. Using femoral re-operation for symptomatic aseptic mechanical loosening as the endpoint the survivorship was 99.1% (CI= 96–100) at the same follow-up. The technique used in our centre has been modified since this series with an increased use of longer stems with impacted allograft. The technique used in Exeter has evolved and there has been an increased awareness of the fundamental importance of gaining stability of the implant within the graft at the time of surgery.

Conclusion These results provide evidence of a successful technique in the intermediate to long term.

In relation to the conduct of this study, one or more the authors have received, or are likely to receive direct material benefits.

Aims: This study reports the results of all patients from our centre who underwent femoral impaction grafting more then five years previously. As a consequence of our experience our technique has been modified and the indications for impaction grafting have become clearer. Methods: 226 hips underwent femoral impaction grafting in 207 patients. No deaths were attributable to the revision surgery. 33 patients with 35 functioning hips died with less than 5 years follow up. Only one patient was lost to follow-up. There were two (1%) acute infections. Twelve stems underwent a further surgical procedure for aseptic failure – 10 for treatment of femoral fracture and 2 for mechanical loosening in the absence of fracture. Results: Survivorship with any femoral re-operation for any cause as the end point is 90.5% (Confidence Interval 82–98%) at 10–11 years. Using femoral re-operation for symptomatic aseptic mechanical loosening as the endpoint the survivorship was 99.1% (Confidence Interval 96–100%) at the same follow-up. Conclusions: As a consequence of our experience in this series our technique has been modified with an increased use of longer stems with impacted allograft. Long stems are indicated when the host bone around a short stem is significantly compromised, in cases of severe bone stock loss, or when a fracture occurs.