Objective To compare the clinical effects of hemiarthroplasty and dynamic hip screw (DHS) in treatment of unstable femoral intertrechanterie fractures in the elderly. Methods A total of 62 elderly patients with unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures treated from January 2004 to April 2007 were randomly divided into DHS group and hemiarthroplasty group, with 31 patients in each group. The patients were foLlowed up to compare the clinical effects between two groups. Results Of all, 58 patients ( including 28 patients in the hemiarthroplasty group and 30 in DHS group) were followed up for 13-49 months. The mean operation time was ( 76.07 ± 6.29 ) minutes in hemiarthroplasty group and ( 117.50 ± 8.88 ) minutes in DHS group ( P < 0.05 ). The mean blood loss during operation was (305.36±34.26) ml in hemiarthroplasty group and (431.67±53.31) ml in DSH group (P<0.05). The postoperative complications occurred in three patients in hemiarthroplasty group and 10 in DHS group, with statistical difference ( P < 0. 05 ). The Harris score for hip function was ( 85.46 ± 3.05 ) points in hemiarthroplnsty group and ( 79.73 ± 2.57 ) points in DHS group, with no statistical difference between two groups ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusions DSH is still one of effective methods for patients with unstable femoral intertrochanterie fractures. Hemiarthroplasty can diminish bleeding during operation, help walk earlier and reduce complications and is a better selection for the elderly patients with osteoporosis and unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures. However, hemiarthroplasty can not replace DHS.