[Resurfacing for osteonecrosis of the femoral head]

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a disease of the young patient which eventually destroys the hip joint. In the early stage of the disease, treatment options are aimed at preserving the femoral head. Unfortunately, many patients present with late-stage disease (Ficat III and IV).In late-stage disease the treatment of choice is total hip arthroplasty. The high failure rate of total hip arthroplasty in young patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head, however, made it an unfavourable treatment option. The results of hemiresurfacing (femoral resurfacing) in this patient population have been very disappointing due to high revision rates and insufficient pain relief. More recently, promising short- and mid-term results were reported with the use of total resurfacing with a survivorship of 90-93% after 3.4-10 years. Our own results in 60 patients show an overall survivorship of 92% after a mean follow-up of 4.8 years (1.6-6.5 years). Total hip resurfacing is a valuable treatment option for late-stage osteonecrosis based on recent study results.