Single approach to double-channel core decompression and bone grafting with structural bone support for treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head in different stages

BACKGROUND: We created a novel method—single approach to double-channel core decompression and bone grafting with structural bone support (SDBS)—to treat early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) by improving the Phemister technique. This study aimed to evaluate the results of SDBS for early-stage ONFH. METHODS: Altogether, 53 patients (73 hips) were treated using SDBS during 2016–2018. Bilateral (20 patients) and unilateral (33 patients = 18 left hips, 15 right hips) ONFH was diagnosed. According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous classification stages, the femoral heads were staged as IIB (n = 15), IIC (n = 19), IIIA (n = 34), IIIB (n = 4), and IIIC (n = 1). The Harris hip score was used to evaluate the hips’ clinical function, computed tomography to evaluate subchondral fractures, and plain radiography to assess the extent of femoral head collapse. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 20.71 ± 6.65 months (6–36 months). At the patients’ last follow-up, 4 hips were found to require arthroplasty. Thus, the overall femoral head survival rate was 94.52% (69/73). Also, the overall Harris score (84.44 ± 14.57) was significantly higher than that preoperatively (77.67 ± 14.37) (P = 0.000). The combined excellent and good rate (76.71%) was significantly higher than that preoperatively (38.36%) (P = 0.000). Imaging showed that 16 femoral heads had some ONFH progression. The average length of stay was 6.15 ± 0.86 days. The average incision measured 2.69 ± 0.30 cm. Intraoperative blood loss was 61.20 ± 4.81 ml. There were no complications during or after the operation. CONCLUSION: SDBS is an effective method for treating early-stage ONFH. It is a hip-preserving surgical approach to slow/prevent ONFH progression.