Core decompression versus nonvascularized bone grafting in patients with osteonecrosis of femoral head
Abstract Background Core decompression and nonvascularized bone grafting are used in the early stage of osteonecrosis of femoral head for a period. Since the comparison of the core decompression and nonvascularized bone grafting are less reported, the purpose of our study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of two procedures in patients with earlier stages of the osteonecrosis of femoral head. Methods Between January 2018 and January 2019, 46 patients (48 hips) are divided into core decompression group and non-vascularized allogeneic fibula grafting group according to their procedures. The mean follow-up were 28.31±3.7 months (24–36 months) and 29.23±4.7months(24–36 months) respectively. the primary outcomes were VAS and HHS. Survivorship was analyzed with the collapse of femoral head or conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) as the endpoint. Results At the final follow-up, two hips underwent THA in core decompression group and three hips in non-vascularized allogeneic fibula grafting group. The radiographic survival rates are 76.9% and 77.3% in the two groups. Statistically significant improvements were seen in both groups on the VAS and HHS. The radiographic survival rate of hips was significantly inferior in lateral type lesion (P = 0.03; CI,0.765–2.114) and ARCO III stage (P = 0.28; CI, 1.254–58.752) in core decompression group. ARCO III stage (P = 0.02; CI, 1.351–49.344) and BMI>25 (P = 0.35; CI, 0.999–2.131) were independent risk factors for the collapse of femoral head in non-vascularized allogeneic fibula grafting group. Conclusion In this study, two procedures all can reduce the patient’s pain and improve functional activity. Arco stage III is a common risk factor for the collapse of femoral head in both groups. lateral lesion and BMI>25 are risk factors for the collapse of femoral head in core decompression group and non-vascularized allogeneic fibula grafting group, respectively. Both groups had good hip survival rates during the follow-up period.