This prosthesis offers valuable salvage possibilities. Its use as a primary arthroplastic procedure gives promise for the future. Complications encountered early in the series have taught us pitfalls to avoid and our five technical failures should serve as valuable lessons in the use of the appliance. Two years' experience give little cause for fearing that the body will not tolerate the prosthesis. A viable head after a successful nailing, however, is still a more desirable result.