The effect of robot-navigation-assisted core decompression on early stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current paper is to evaluate the effects of robot-navigation-assisted core decompression compared with conventional core decompression surgery for early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS: Twenty patients with a total of 36 hips who were diagnosed with Association Research Circulation Osseous stage 2 avascular necrosis of the femoral head and who received core decompression with or without robotic assistance were reviewed. The Harris hip score and visual analog scale score were used to assess clinical function. Intraoperative radiation exposure and operation time were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the robot-assisted system. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 26.4 months (24–36 months), the Harris hip score, visual analog scale score, and survival rate of the patients were similar between the conventional and robot-assisted groups. The guidewire insertion time, number of guidewire attempts, and radiation exposure during guidewire insertion were all significantly lower in the robot-assisted group than in the conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted core decompression of the femoral head is as safe and effective as a conventional core decompression surgery. It can reduce operation time and decrease intraoperative radiation exposure.