[Management in avascular necrosis of the femoral head (author's transl)]

For differentiated indication for operative treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head following points have to be considered: age, sex and profession of the patient, precedent treatments, state of contralateral and neighbouring joints. -- Methods of operation: Osteotomy for redistribution, filling with spongious bone and muscle-pedicle-bone graft, transplantation of homeoplastic osteochondral cups of the femoral head, Smith-Petersen-Cup arthroplasty- alloarthroplastic replacement of the femoral head, total replacement of the hip joint, resection of the femoral head and angulation-osteotomy of the diaphysis, arthrodesis of the hip joint. These methods are discussed with regard to personal conditions, surgical techniques, postoperative treatment as well as their advantages and disadvantages. There is no causative treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Therefore it is especially important to use the different methods appropriate to the special situation.