Implantation of Hydroxyapatite Methylmethacylate Cement in the Treatment of Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head - A Medium-term Evaluation of the Results
T Dong, S Liu, G Zhu
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery?The First Teaching Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow, China

Objective: To introduce a method of treatment using hydroxyapatite methyl-methacylate cement in the treatment of patients suffering from avascular necrosis of the femoral head of different causes and to report the medium-term follow-up study of the treatment.

Methods: From January 1990 to December 1995,eight hips in seven paitents with femoral head osteonecrosis of Ficat stage III were treated with hydroxyapatite methylmethacrylate cement implantation in the region after the necrotic bones were curetted out Periodical follow-up interviews were done. The functions of hips were evaluated and X-ray films were taken. The latest follow-up assessments were done 5-13years(an average period of 8 years)after the operation?

Results: The function of the hip joint were assessed using modified Merle d'Aubigné method before and after the operation. The average scores for were increased from 8.66 to 15 at the last examinations?X-ray films showed that the contours of the femoral heads were improved after the operation and most of the femoral heads could preserve their postoperative contour. In most of the patients there were no signs of expansion of the bone necrosis. Some patients showed varying degrees of degenerative changes of the joint. The patients feel satisfactory for the operation except two because of limited movement of their hips.

Conclusion: This operation is comparatively simple with less trauma and rapid postoperative recovery. It maybe a method of choice in the treatment for certain cases of osteonecrosis of femoral head of Ficat stage III especially in young patients.