The effects of operative methods and postoperative care were studied in a series of 87 patients with femoral neck fractures. Thirty nine patients were treated with the Thompson endoprosthesis and 48 with internal fixation. Half of the patients in both groups were given the routine postoperative physical therapy of the department and the other half intensive physical therapy. The patients' mean age was 73 years, and 75% of the patients were women. The patients fitted with a prosthesis were mobilised better than patients following internal fixation. The clinical results in the cases who had received intensive physical therapy and those given routine physical therapy did not differ during the postoperative follow-up period of 9 weeks. The patients' age did not influence recovery. Mortality during the 3 months of follow-up was 11.5%. The mean age of the patients who died was higher than that of the other patients. Wound infections occurred in 7%. The morbidity and mortality rates were the same for both groups. Postoperative mobilisation of elderly patients with femoral neck fractures causes a great deal of work to the nursing staff. Intensified physical therapy did not hasten the patients' recovery in this study.