Functional results of core decopression in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head

Aim: Patients who had admitted to Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine department of Orthopedics and Traumatology between years 1996 and 2009 and diagnosed as avascular necrosis of the femoral head treated by core decompression included to the study. The functional results of this treatment method has evaluated.Material and Method: 33 patients with 44 hips treated with core decompression as a treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head included to the study. The grade of avascular necrosis evaluated by Ficat- Arlet grading system. The functional status of the patients evaluated by Harris Hip Score preoperatively, postoperatively and at the end of follow-up. The necessity of further operations, the type of additional operation, time after core decompression and the factors which caused the operation had also investigated.Results: There were 11 female and 22 male patients with the average age of 34.8 years (between 16-57 years). 12 hips were grade 1 (27.3 %), 27 hips were grade 2 (61.4) and remaining 5 hips were grade 3 according to Ficat-Arlet grading system. The average follow-up was 89 months (between 17-171 months). 16 hips (1 grade 1, 11 grade 2 and 4 grade 3) underwent to total hip arthroplasty after core decompression at average of 37.8 months because of development of progressive arthritis. The mean Harris hip score of patients was 57.9 (between 32-78) preoperatively and increased to 92.8 (between 65-100) at the end of follw-up (p<0.001).Conclusion: The avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a progressive disease but this progression can be stopped by joint preserving surgeries as core decompression and the development of degenerative arthritis should be prevented with the reduction of the need for total hip arthoplasty. Core decompression surgery can be very usefull in early stage avascular necrosis and can preserve the joint functions with painless and comfortable movement of the patients.Key Words: avascular necrosis of the femoral head, core decompression, functional results