Failure of femoral surface replacement for femoral head avascular necrosis

J Arthroplasty. 2005 Oct;20(7 Suppl 3):108-14. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2005.05.019.

Abstract

The appropriate treatment for the young patient with post-collapse avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head continues to be controversial. Femoral surface replacement (FSR) has emerged as a potential strategy to delay total hip arthroplasty in these patients. Between 1997 and 2003, 37 FSR procedures were performed. Success was defined as patients not requiring revision surgery or having a Harris hip pain score of 30 or greater. Failure was defined as patients having revision surgery or a Harris hip pain score of 20 or less. The overall failure rate based on Harris hip pain scores and revision surgery was 64.8% (24/37 procedures). Fifteen (40.5%) procedures required revision surgery, whereas 9 (24.3%) patients were considered failures based on their pain scores. The purpose of this study was to determine if FSR is a viable option for post-collapse AVN. We conclude that hemiresurfacing for AVN is an unpredictable procedure. This procedure is no longer offered as a treatment option for post-collapse AVN at our institution.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Femur Head Necrosis / surgery*
  • Hip Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Failure