EFFECT OF CORE DECOMPRESSION IN EARLY STAGES OF SOCALLED IDIOPATHIC NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL-HEAD

The results of 47 cases of core decompression in 42 patients with stag e I and stage II (according to Ficat) avascular necrosis of the femora l head who had been followed up for a minimum of two years were subjec ted to retrospective analysis. All these cases involved socalled ''idi opathic necrosis'' of the head of the femur including patients with ri sk factors (alcohol abusus, lipometabolic disorders and hyperuricemia) . 87% of the 30 stage I hip joints showed no radiological signs of det erioration and could also be classified as clinically successful (aver age follow-up time 47 months (24-100 months). After an average follow- up period of 38 months (24-86 months), 41% of the 17 stage II hip join ts had to be classified radiologically as failures. A good clinical or radiological result could be achieved in 59% of these cases. This pro cedure has proved to entail low risk, and can be recommended as the fi rst choice of therapy at early stages of necrosis of the head of the f emur.