We reviewed 134 primary noncemented porous-coated total hip replacements in 125 patients: 64 were DePuy AML prostheses, 20 were Howmedica PCA and 50 were Implant Technology LSF. The prostheses had been in situ for an average of 36 months, 40 months and 24 months respectively. The average pre-operative Harris hip scores were 38.2 for AML, 33.2 for PCA, and 41.0 for the LSF prostheses. The average postoperative scores were 80.7 for AML, 83.8 for the PCA, and 91.5 for LSF. Thigh or groin pain associated with the prosthesis was present in 30% of AML, 30% PCA and 8% of the LSF cases. The clinical and radiographic review showed better early results with the LSF prostheses than the others; this seemed to be related to the implant design, which provided improved initial stability and more physiological transfer of load.