The effect of bone compaction vs conventional drilling on the fixation of hydroxyapatite-coated implants was examined in a weight-bearing canine model. In each dog, one knee joint had the implant cavity prepared with drilling, the other with compaction. Eight dogs were euthanized after 2 weeks and 8 dogs after 4 weeks. Femoral condyles from additional 7 dogs represented time 0. Compacted specimens had significantly higher bone implant contact and energy absorption at time 0. Compaction significantly increased ultimate shear strength at 0 and 2 weeks. There was no significant difference in implant fixation after 4 weeks. The results of this study suggest that compaction may be beneficial in optimizing the crucial initial implant stability, even when hydroxyapatite-coated implants with osteoconductive properties are inserted in vivo.