Introduction: It is desirable to delay or avoid total joint replacement in young patients who have osteonecrosis of femoral head. There are some head preserving surgical procedures that attempt this including osteotomy, core decompression, and bone grafting. The vascularized fibular graft has been reported to be a reliable procedure, but unfortunately it has donor site morbidity and is considered technically demanding. Therefore, materials have been developed to substitute for structural fibular graft. New trabecular metal has been developed to be used for osteonecrosis of femoral head. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical outcomes of trabecular metal as a treatment intervention method for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Materials and Methods: Seven patients (8 hips) with osteonecrosis of femoral head received core decompression and a trabecular metal implant, beginning in March 2003. The stage of osteonecrosis was I or II according to Ficat and Arlet except for one case (stage III). The procedure consists of a core decompression and insertion of trabecular metal rod (porous tantalum, Zimmer Inc./ Implex Incorporation). A Harris Hip Score was obtained pre-operatively, and at three and at three and six months. Radiographic data was collected at the same time of clinical follow-up.

Results: All 7 patients are doing well. Radiographic review shows no evidence of further femoral head collapse.

Discussion: Even though this is short term follow-up, the authors propose that the use of trabecular metal in osteonecrosis patients is simple, safe, and effective for the salvage of the hip.