AbstractTricalcium phosphate (TCP) is an osteoconductive bioceramic which, when applied to a porous‐coated prosthesis, may enhance osseous ingrowth and mechanical stability. TCP plasma‐sprayed and unsprayed porous‐coated tibial intramedullary rods were bilaterally implanted in seven adult rabbits. All rabbits were killed at 12 weeks. Pull‐out tests were performed on 4 rabbits while all were evaluated histologically for osseous response and adverse tissue reaction. TCP‐sprayed implants showed significantly greater osseous ingrowth in comparison to unsprayed implants. Neither implant type exhibited adverse tissue reactions. Average pull‐out strengths were 69 lb for treated rods and 72 lb for controls (p>0.05); quality of fit for all pull‐out specimens except one was deemed poor. We conclude that plasmasprayed TCP enhances osseous ingrowth into porous‐coated devices. However, our data further suggest that enhanced ingrowth may not always lead to en