Osteonecrosis of the hip: management in the 21st century

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a debilitating condition characterized by progressive femoral head collapse.
• The etiology and natural history of ONFH are not fully understood, complicating treatment strategies.
• Preservation of the femoral head is the primary therapeutic objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current understanding and treatment modalities for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
• To highlight ongoing research into the etiology, pathogenesis, and natural history of ONFH.
• To emphasize the importance of femoral head preservation in managing this condition.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
• Analysis of current surgical interventions including core decompression, bone grafting, and arthroplasty.
• Discussion of the challenges in determining definitive etiology and natural history.

Main Results:

• Osteonecrosis of the femoral head often progresses to femoral head collapse.
• Effective treatment remains challenging due to associated diseases and incomplete understanding of etiology.
• Various surgical procedures are employed to preserve the femoral head.

Conclusions:

• Femoral head preservation is the ultimate goal in treating osteonecrosis of the hip.
• Continued research is vital for elucidating the etiology, pathogenesis, and natural history of ONFH.
• Core decompression, bone grafting, and arthroplasty are key treatment options.