200 patients presenting with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip were randomized to receive a cemented Thompson hemiarthroplasty (HA) or a cemented smooth tapered stem HA (using the Exeter Trauma Stem prosthesis). During the 1 year follow-up period, the two groups did not differ significantly with respect to pain, mobility scores, complications, perioperative outcomes, loss of flexion and mean limb shortening. It was therefore concluded that there is no difference in outcomes between HA with either a cemented Thompson or a cemented smooth tapered stem.